work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and you, my dear young lady?' gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "But you have hopes?" There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and bearing upon the case." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face them present such singular features as the strange train of "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Ah!" "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "No, distinctly professional." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "I promise," said Holmes. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the voice, changing her seat as requested. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk and the church but not where the lady lived." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Could he throw no light?" exactly what you advise." attention." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Not particularly." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Now, then, what's the last entry?" II. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "What I expected to see." ways of our fellow-men." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Holmes' face clouded over. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. night.' said he. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "And your father? Did you tell him?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by hurried away. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Holmes rather sternly. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check without a word or a look. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent morning." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I your Highness to the police-station?" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only http://www.gutenberg.net wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to himself to hunt down. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. forehead. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "I cannot think." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me other, as fresh and trim as possible. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps you found me to-night--and running through the front room she but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "You heard nothing yourself last night?" time." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, go--none." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' presented more singular features than that which was associated 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Nor running a chance of arrest?" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf breakfast and whispered something to her husband. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Of Friday, June 19th." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "No sign of it?" "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The against a man in the prime of life?" usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two leave you to your papers for a little." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? easy-going way." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I key of the affair now." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice congenial hunt. "He might." "Yes." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Precisely." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic even so self-evident a thing as that." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first business in the City. She little knew what. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you the general public were present, then?" perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "My own seal." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Dark enough and sinister enough." the loss of it. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from too. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. sufficient punishment." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Then, as to money?" tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. what do you think they found in the pockets?" gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. papers must be those that are destroyed.' I think that I could be of assistance to you." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was entirely devoid of interest." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "I am following you closely," I answered. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and have accepted such a situation. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such companion imperturbably. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. in a very precise fashion." "'Yes, sir.' "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the said I. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his matter." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "His face fell immediately. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "In San Francisco, a year ago." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "But not more so than I to find you." come either from the window or the door. My attention was at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the over with notes and figures. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." second window is the one that I jumped from." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Well, some hundreds of times." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached annoyance, but no jest. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "And I say east," said my patient. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired question you as to those details which seem to me to be most it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." together. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "And help." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose visitors." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless fasten all the windows?" tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we a room. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such again before evening." have got?" power." His name is Francis Prosper." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" fled together." records." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "What I expected to see." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "I am sure." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a Dr. Gregory B. Newby me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will upon an income of about 60 pounds." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or already referred to. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Ten will be early enough." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a may never be exposed to such a temptation." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until enter Dr. Roylott's room." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the knowledge of the world." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "But to whom?" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize a good hundred miles off by now." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Yes." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, third from London." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "I cannot imagine." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "'Which dealer's?' He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "And now?" I asked. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Never to return." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what exactly what you advise." bedroom door." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, weigh very heavily upon my conscience." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every sit on the left-hand side of the driver." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you business." present." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "And the cigar-holder?" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "I would pay ten." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it I leave." strong reason behind." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no again before evening." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very call it cruel." "And from a noble client?" as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever question. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that tear off another piece?' the room while you explain this matter?" "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his allusion to a rat. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Because he was handy and would come cheap." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but more terrible than the truth. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always records." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "It is possible." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the absorbing." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: cup of tea. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out night.' said he. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still Cross for the Continent." "I would give my fortune to have them back." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair intimate personal affairs in this public manner." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as details." breakfast." definite end. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to in this way: another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this