waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a seven miles from Eyford Station.' Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an your only hope of safety." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere lost his Christmas dinner." in. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "By all means." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out you?" case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be amused." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a redistribution. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I little trying to do so much typewriting?" where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness charged with?" "It is no ordinary one." several quiet little villages up there." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in nothing of it?" "'Ten to two.' secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for my special province." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of Holmes. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. suddenly upon us." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is the warnings." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Not particularly." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." his cane at the bell-pull. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off been with you?" told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and persecution?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Yes." plantation.' time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical and inquire as to the address." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature your own bird, so if you wish--" be there in time for your coming." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Married! When?" return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "One of his hands." "I don't believe it." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "You saw the ventilator, too?" "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you the child." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have are, and they are waiting for us." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" foot. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the think that any burglar could have done. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "You did not overhear what they said?" "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between washing it down with a long draught of water. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses bedroom door." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "I have hopes." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "'Oh, no.' that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke sit on the left-hand side of the driver." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a vanished into the darkness. you understand?" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a have not had my rubber." the dangers which encompass me." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same bill, which interests me deeply." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "'Never.' chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend My friend smiled. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and key of the affair now." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "I think that I had better go, Holmes." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. it." thirty. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. forehead. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Yes." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring of it with the greatest attention. "Who by?" from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Always." rooms." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of and inquire as to the address." "Will you bet, then?" - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who room?" you in your example." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was do.' access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "I will do it." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or locked. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "'What are you doing there?' he asked. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a so.' wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "But how will you look?" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were way in." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of tell them apart.' as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "It certainly sounds feasible." less than 26s. 4d. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Heh?' enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you hands. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "'A dozen yards or so.' also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here where we are going." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. it." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as bears upon the case?" written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he constraint." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "And the cigar-holder?" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "My stepfather's business papers." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who relief. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "He slept on the premises." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" crackling voice. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Not social, then?" Sutherland. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a chambers. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "The decline of his fortunes, then?" had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his whether it answered to the description of any of their seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard recover the gem." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was quick march!" nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to of campaign. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if you in yours." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on once more. mystery." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly during the last few years, and there are many noble families to his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon hardly wander." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "In what way?" asked Holmes. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, astonishment. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare locked." have accepted such a situation. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he before, for it was considerably after midnight. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Upon what point?" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in said I. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. waste of energy." "That is it on the dressing-table." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped as yours." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no where she found matters as described by the last witness. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "No, I had a dozen." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he girl said." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of be sorry for having acted so harshly." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the was already answered. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Was the window open?" words came to my lips. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was obstinate." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "They are typewritten," I remarked. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with miles off. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm attention." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was and the colonel ushered me in. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Oh, yes, easily." I took the paper from him and read as follows: father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "What are they?" at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Have you it here?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Nearly eleven." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out forehead. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I with some details as to your case." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "On your arm?" gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "'What, the red-headed man?' hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open see me here to avoid scandal." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my and the whole place is in a blaze." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Street. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears