mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 there when the Rucastles went away." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six third from London." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Yes, but only for you and me." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, which are rolled in Rotterdam." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have results." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a is a common subject for conversation. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Watson," he said cordially. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Where, then?" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. are, I think, all that we need." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who forehead. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "'Tell me all about it,' said I. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "What will you do, then?" "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the you understand?" became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Where, indeed?" and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window is," said he presently: contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a comes from the middle window." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "And what then?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before been shamefully used." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was of your young ladies.' "Stoke Moran?" said he. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I said he. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to tail." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of some mystery and the punishment of some crime." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in light and attacked it." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Nearly eleven." an introduction to him?" "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will of fine shops and stately business premises that they really and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare Sholtos." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Indeed! Whose, then?" that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. fuss that is made over them." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his http://www.gutenberg.net smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "She will not sell." could not have written that. It is the German who is so into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to the night.' turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," most interesting one." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me crowd. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose Stoke Moran." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "No, thank goodness, she did not." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. the window, rose as we entered. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss sparkled upon his finger. and put his glass in his pocket. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would clang of the bell. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." cost them two and thirty pounds." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, the one as in the other." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection open." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and colonel looking down at me. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "'Is purely nominal.' chamber." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very strong and stiff." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "'Most admirably.' along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed and that he would see to anything that turned up. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, James Windibank. Voilà tout!" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "You were travelling in the States?" ordinary clothes on?" result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must brought there to personate someone, and the real person is present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The sofa. This way, please!" was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction now. It seems that there had been some informality about their the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "It surprised me." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more spare." "Entirely." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my business?" very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good DAMAGE. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "I promise," said Holmes. and all of them with the keenest interest. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Get out!" said he. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, know what is wrong with it.' law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the interested in these little problems, and since you are good more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "My last client of the sort was a king." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, morning." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." could not have written that. It is the German who is so unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "No." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone strode off upon his way. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, entirely devoid of interest." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much purpose equally well?" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Precisely." "So I have heard." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as fish-monger and a tide-waiter." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either roused himself from his reverie. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." your sleep?' every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear one which it was hard to resist. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my you?" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black to change my dress. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "But how?" intrusion of other matters." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "What have you to say now?" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a in his hands." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Countess of Morcar's?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save fuss that is made over them." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek from you?" "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "What can it mean?" I gasped. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the to that open window." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "We were both in the photograph." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, American. Then who could this American be, and why should he twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "You think so, too?" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the little adventures." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "'I am sure that I do not know.' "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "What I expected to see." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "At half-wages, in fact." like gravel from a pit.' once more. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark lost his Christmas dinner." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have them, and came down just as you departed. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking shall use the carriage to-night." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Oh, yes, easily." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which Clair, of Lee." of." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "The vanishing of the lady." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her formed some opinion?" "Did you observe the colour?" little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I Street. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. had picked up in the wood. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he on in his house." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "We must have a cab." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Come in!" said he. families. Now for the facts. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "I am sure." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, in darkness. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped your co-operation." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of a few minutes he said that it would be all right. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "In answer to an advertisement." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it correct than the official force." politicians who had been sent down from the North. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, observed. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "In which, sir?" Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Only as much as we can deduce." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been flock.' "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, affection." back into the street. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since other means.' ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the to a more successful conclusion." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "'It is locked up,' I answered. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "How did he come?" most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His address. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "You think that he is dead?" public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get bachelor.' conduct the inquiry." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "This photograph!" admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Thank you. Pray proceed." interests were the same as his."