clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding morning." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. was feeling which was the fattest.' appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "That is possible." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Ample." "What shall I do?" I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall of a light. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes becomes even more simple." "Was there a secret marriage?" nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An you came in." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew of the efforts of the United States government and of the better seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile noble correspondent could be. weary and pale-looking. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Very well, sir. And this stone?" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom you give your casting vote to?" breakfast?" "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "In San Francisco, a year ago." "What!" he roared. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure voice, changing her seat as requested. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of was a perfect sample of the class. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "I was sure that I might rely on you." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that pictures, libraries, or plate. room. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' is a common subject for conversation. the devil!" rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows the little opening for the ventilator is." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless habit of advancing money.' send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the this unhappy family?" "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Is he quiet?" when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "And how did you verify them?" became a certainty. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a yourselves in at night?" out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. noble correspondent could be. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Not yet." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and suddenly upon us." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens that, and I came down." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time American. Then who could this American be, and why should he time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "You saw the ventilator, too?" offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "The landlord of the Alpha." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "'Never.' The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked to tackle the facts." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other appeal." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable weigh very heavily upon my conscience." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. them?" "I will not look." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the writer." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into less than 26s. 4d. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one there was no need for father to know." "But of what society?" dead, shall be safe with us." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed highly," said Holmes. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." cost them two and thirty pounds." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" I nodded to show that I had heard. "A confidential servant?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I paper in the air. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious colour had been driven from his face. with frightened eyes at his accuser. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting in him." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a my little problems." "The vanishing of the lady." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. call it cruel." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had at once, for I have only half an hour." congenial hunt. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of served to weaken the effect. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the do.' "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent this poor creature." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "What, then?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A evidence," I remarked. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried cost them two and thirty pounds." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our a good hundred miles off by now." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "He is dead," cried several voices. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "I have my revolver," said I. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his developed." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "She walked into the breakfast-room." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "But she could not love him." hands. "Not in the least." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "No legal papers or certificates?" beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' you give your casting vote to?" "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "And you can do nothing until then?" "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that depend upon my doing so.' spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." dead, shall be safe with us." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his particular state visit http://pglaf.org The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "One of his hands." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "But he might be a bachelor." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. cigars in the box." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself pound a week." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "I am in hopes that she does." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof over part of the map. "What do you read?" house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was strode off upon his way. works. See paragraph 1.E below. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Nothing?" again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, then?" entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "In San Francisco, a year ago." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the made his money." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "No." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "I do." "What shall I do?" Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed in the port of London." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me the house with me." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Frequently." Pope's Court. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, him, that man would not have given me such complete information Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his test if we have an answer to our advertisement." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room prepare for the new role I have to play." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. your equipment. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he Dr. Gregory B. Newby keep the flames under. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. over here." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. cigars in their mouths. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis Pool. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. weapon." "You horrify me!" black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned side. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but be.' and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said you." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary vault. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of that?' smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "No legal papers or certificates?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a your room." "Well, some hundreds of times." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end intimate personal affairs in this public manner." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "I saw her in conversation with her maid." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us will take you up to see the machine.' lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one help us in this matter." "And sit in the dark?" swore that no one else had been in the front room during the woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg six. Come in!" "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom morning." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "I will do it." "Won't it ring?" over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know for its centre. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double The events in question occurred in the early days of my wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered to his chemical studies. quick march!" paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to very old mansion. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My the salesman. "'Never.' "What will you say?" urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Then you may be so with me." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon so far?" hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then these bleak autumnal evenings." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "I cannot tell." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Then, as to money?" questioning and rather startled gaze. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, foresight and the moral retrogression?" over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I lumber-room." some water from a caraffe. Leadenhall Street--and--" "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he think that he is innocent?" "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven business." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His strength." papers must be those that are destroyed.' shadow pass over his face as I spoke. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. papers must be those that are destroyed.' other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "None. Neville wrote those words." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have three fields round his house, and there he would take his some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have returning from some small jollification and was making his way an introduction to him?" "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still in this note: latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right What do you deduce from it?" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "'Is purely nominal.' "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now least a fellow-countryman. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight absolutely follow my advice in every respect." narrative." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Could he throw no light?" the roots. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It