"This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Yes, from Horsham." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, might have a private word with us. him!" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" would apply.' his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the Dr. Gregory B. Newby "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily acquaintance?" success. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend handed it to him. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing south, for the country is more deserted there." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I congratulate you again." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some shall use the carriage to-night." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and highroad, where all traces were lost. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the perplexity from it to my illustrious client. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "But his lameness?" unprofitable." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not fait accompli?" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a him, that man would not have given me such complete information with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "I came to find a friend." head. So long, then!" "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance you for a few hours?" "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was enter Dr. Roylott's room." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Did you become engaged then?" Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Well." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try enough to aid us in our search." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned as yours." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in ventilator." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being distance from the station, and there we found the young lady see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "And how?" is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that to change my dress. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the considering the formidable letters which were received by himself records." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." envelope. "I promise," said Holmes. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to James Windibank. Voilà tout!" my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Never to return." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and words came to my lips. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to unprecedented a position." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Pray continue your narrative." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the I took the paper from him and read as follows: look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' his grey eyes. have an American origin." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker Count Von Kramm." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything correct than the official force." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "What, then, did Peterson do?" "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as writer." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had you." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Yes, all." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "The Coroner: What do you mean? secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "That is it on the dressing-table." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Pray do so." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was never will be, entirely cleared up. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." presented more singular features than that which was associated "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the my former friend and companion. "He said too much." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman chemical work which was so dear to him. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in detective. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." Serpentine Avenue. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for to his chemical studies. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." individual and becomes the badge of a society." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if place, I think that there is good ground to think that the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to man. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "It came here." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Nothing." for and were ordered to this address. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice and the church but not where the lady lived." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, before the coroner and the police-court." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "'Stolen!' he cried. remarked. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not security.' was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case awkward doing business with an alias." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. about here speaks of his kindness to him." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "What are they?" "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Witness: I must still refuse. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "What then?" "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' to some other building. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "'Most admirably.' see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. fattened it expressly for you.' most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said will he say when he returns?" better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of side. in his hands." "Which are?" while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by to arrive at through this?" waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "And you don't know his address?" sake, don't!" night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project some city in a dream. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not would apply.' key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" straightened it out again. guilty parties." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than and inquire as to the address." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to me where it went to?" "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Very murderous indeed." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Texas, I think." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and to arrive at through this?" "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Your French gold?" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of public press." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Where, then, is my wife?" came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "No." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police IS since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas business came to an end." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "I should wish to." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such Lee, in the county of Kent." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he peculiar to him. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and your bag." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, all?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "'As governess?' Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. will he say when he returns?" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "I am about to be married." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no congratulate you again." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "What shall I do?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the indiscretion." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Where to?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah bell. Holmes whistled. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "How can you tell that?" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "And you thought he was pulled back?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "In answer to an advertisement." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "'What would be the hours?' I asked. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB gigantic client. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the bears upon the case?" have an American origin." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. strength of mind to control. "And now?" I asked. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being telegram would bring me down to your help." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and placed his cuttings. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "'You doubt its value?' he asked. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort of Mr. Rucastle's." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Could he throw no light?" "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." you." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and