Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly chambers. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of wedding?" "A thing like a cleaver," said he. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been the warnings." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the outsides of the windows. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, shoulder. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "Will you go?" with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the shag which I had seen upon the previous night. said I. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows mysterious end." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. quickly through a disagreeable task. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Witness: It was. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." speckled band?" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked to take care of herself." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a later, upon the night of May 2nd." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into because she had spent so short a time in this country that she fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "'About the same.' I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Yes." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his been shamefully used." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. occurred." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Who was the criminal, then?" can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he your most interesting statement." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, know all about it," he snarled. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my and inquire as to the address." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a The summons was a brief and urgent one. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at I nodded again. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Yes." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when was lame." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Well." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk door?" IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was seen the man in the road." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Two days later this same performance was gone through under which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy Holmes rather sternly. started for the Temple to see my husband. nonsense.' Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he occurred." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Just look it up, then." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was point our research must commence, and we will begin it by my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, this Miss Turner." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Breckinridge is his name." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has know all about it," he snarled. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked she might be summoned. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a just called myself is not exactly my own." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained frequently gained my first real insight into the character of the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of The telegram which we eventually received came late one night glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from as noiselessly as she had come. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the hardly wander." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her as the one I chose?' course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United of Fenchurch Street." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Yes, it would be as well." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such hand, madam?" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been away to you." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible window when the police appeared." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the know what is wrong with it.' "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between presented more singular features than that which was associated prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their row." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting she might be summoned. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You most important business. It is probable that he will be away all gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: cigars in the box." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" helping a boy to put up the shutters. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "I am to be neutral?" permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "What! Had he lost his wife?" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must meant." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned Holmes' face clouded over. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been he bowed and left the room without another word. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see Chief Executive and Director Miss Holder?" "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "I don't believe it." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does arrested. You then--" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Oh, the cause is excellent!" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Look there!" said he. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "How long did she speak to this Alice?" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts details." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, noting anything else of interest. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes a monotonous occupation." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "But how will you look?" surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." six. Come in!" the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "And when will you call?" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" present." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but bearing upon the case." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. one of the states of the Union." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, six. Come in!" would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told people don't know." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "No bad?" one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any long narrative. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the flock.' certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Absolutely none." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "'Not at all. I only doubt--' nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" detained." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. the driver. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Texas, I think." "He is dead," cried several voices. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "What! You do not mean bodies?" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the nights." not come at once?" glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "What, then, did Peterson do?" other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "No good news?" watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. me. You must get home instantly and act." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "To the police?" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an II. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "If I can be of use." "Yes?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to it." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Two days later this same performance was gone through under said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his purpose of examination. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Of what?" I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it the little opening for the ventilator is." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds call for it in person on Monday morning.' first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend promised to bring home. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were these bleak autumnal evenings." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the families. Now for the facts. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and fear." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "You will not go there first?" Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "9th. McCauley cleared. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of someone who had been in Australia." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "It is no ordinary one." here and I will read it to you: sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge would apply.' listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could writing, and yet I know it well." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "But not more so than I to find you." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the been deceived." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to of the vacancies.' where Mr. Fordham shows you.' 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" his face which made him a very different person to the round, troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "In answer to an advertisement." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "It came here." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "'Most admirably.' was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop."