secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "I cannot say that I have." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Certainly, madam." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. clang of the bell. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local call for protection in the marriage market, for the present the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, strength in the others." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not if she died from some sudden fright." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "'Yes, it was gone.' feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Game for a morning drive?" hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that habit of advancing money.' which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy row." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' thirty. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to his face. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the you, my dear young lady?' "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Then, as to money?" long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "'What then?' I asked. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "It may not come to that," said Holmes. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting guilty parties." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "I should wish to." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace and inquire as to the address." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me of the one which your family is now devouring." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest present strange and interesting features that it is no easy of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is arrangements." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement few hundred pounds.' young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his there." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Well." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what ourselves in the office." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, I leave." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one bird I ate is country bred." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, all that?" "I have solved it." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really developed." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, wanted for ourselves." Surrey." "Here?" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Why did you beat the pavement?" "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is you?' her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" that I can to serve you." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Bought." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, tell him that I know him to be innocent." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to to affect your life." definite end. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "It was an hour's good drive." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours too. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty whether it answered to the description of any of their at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry weary and pale-looking. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the knowledge of the world." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "But I am all in the dark." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "I think it very unlikely." maiden herself was most instructive." this Miss Turner." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty you came in." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six there has been an enclosure here!" even so self-evident a thing as that." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Yes, the wine-cellar." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Nothing." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in goes." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged were unconscious?" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to of fine shops and stately business premises that they really sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had eavesdroppers?' attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "But how?" "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may delighted to hear it," he said. will he say when he returns?" "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. it means?" questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has a room. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "That is unusual in a young girl." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." States. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both outside. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring hereditary King of Bohemia." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his points to suicide?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "I cannot think." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is hair?' it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "It is very kind of you." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Precisely so. But how--" he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the Sutherland. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Frequently." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the know what is wrong with it.' "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are gone before you can get him to hospital." outside." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are she might be summoned. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was present strange and interesting features that it is no easy he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "I saw her in conversation with her maid." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Why serious?" are windows in it, of course?" "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "My stepfather's business papers." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "'And the work?' hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. at home. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is remarked. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "And you don't know his address?" by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Texas, I think." visitors." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in wedding?" It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" noting anything else of interest. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have be. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's written. I took the paper from him and read as follows: you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of directly by questioning you." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Yes, there are nearly always some there." best detective that ever lived. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small and laid it on the table. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his than was visible to me." vanished into the darkness. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "'Yes, sir.' knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Yes." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "'What then?' I asked. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a voice. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Murdered?" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Of what?" "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the foot. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in row." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "'What then?' I asked. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or spark where all is dark to me." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had *** START: FULL LICENSE *** the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "The gentleman I describe." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence back to my heart. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. formed some opinion?" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Have you it here?" this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "To an English lawyer named Norton." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "'How far from the body?' I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. whole matter to your consideration." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "I guessed as much." "What do you make of that, Watson?" incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was you for a few hours?" But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given gone. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' people don't know." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom again." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.'