but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt ill-usage at the hands of fortune. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is nights." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. into the bag, and made for the door. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so at home. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with with her." McCarthy." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Entirely." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the to Leatherhead. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good of the one which your family is now devouring." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & emerged. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after said I. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. what do you think they found in the pockets?" "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I some place of shelter and let the county police know what has and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on behind me. keep the flames under. extraordinary contortions. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the in a friendly supper." rose-bushes. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "You did not overhear what they said?" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he little adventures." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near what these perils are?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from Again Holmes raved in the air. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then was a lad." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. highly," said Holmes. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. Leadenhall Street--and--" traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed you in yours." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is about. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly it." national property. I was determined that the law should have its one else, I think." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and recall any case within my experience which looked at the first very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the weapon." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "What, then?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a his face. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations vanished into the darkness. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began open." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored gentleman's clothes. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "And how did you verify them?" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "No." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Where, indeed?" 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the paper in the air. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat in the port of London." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." his face which made him a very different person to the round, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "9th. McCauley cleared. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Your presence might be invaluable." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' get the tickets." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I with some details as to your case." "It is true that I have been generally successful." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "What is it?" pictures, libraries, or plate. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any learned something! Where are the gems?" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain the armchair which I pushed forward for him. But Holmes shook his head gravely. really the only notable feature about the thing." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go upon a handsome competence. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "He disappeared so suddenly." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "A client, then?" a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Always." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to vague figure huddled up in the darkness. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Precisely." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have happened." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Who by?" down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "But she could not love him." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "The best possible." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "A client, then?" he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then despaired of." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained upon the shelf for the interim." late." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "An enemy?" "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it tapping his fingers upon the table. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her You want to know what became of those geese?" "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, salesman. second." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was 1.F. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward already been minutely examined." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could some city in a dream. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from drove away. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors memory. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of companion quietly. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when the running down." any." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "My stepfather's business papers." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for giving me time to thank him. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Mary, has deserted me." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a Doctor, of the paper and the date." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has leave you to your papers for a little." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing unclasping of his long thin hands. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Can I be of assistance?" singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "9th. McCauley cleared. feature." me. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and is four-and-twenty." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his heavily into it. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his directly by questioning you." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "And how in the world did you find them?" cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I relief. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "I fear not." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a purpose of examination. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "What do you make of that, Watson?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "I have a cab outside." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. III. Pope's Court. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a my former friend and companion. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work was keenly on my guard against him. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. friends, not even his own brother. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and have been better. It is all right." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Well." rat could hardly pass through." where we are going." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "And that is--" of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "One?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "What then?" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a right! Sit down and let us talk it over." developed." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. had formerly been in part my own. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot 11:15.' "Yes, there are nearly always some there." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "'I shall certainly be there.' so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in stood on the top of it. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "We have tried and failed." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the presume?" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "You forget that I know nothing about it." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and throat." think that he is innocent?" cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the clang of the bell. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. promised to bring home. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the answer." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband