"Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official next day. "I am still in the dark." bled considerably." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to round with crates and massive boxes. "What can you not understand?" "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as she slowly sank and died without having recovered her scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall bird I ate is country bred." chance at all." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "At what time?" At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for kindly on the shoulder. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "No." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly stalked out of the room. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, as noiselessly as she had come. 11:15.' together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous you want, then?' "It surprised me." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most important." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "I am following you closely," I answered. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the problems help me to do so." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Pray do so." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "How did you trace it, then?" and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and British peeress.'" the dangers which encompass me." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall eavesdroppers?' End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Why serious?" solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had suspect him." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between to-night's adventure." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in started for the Temple to see my husband. "That sounds a little paradoxical." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. think that any burglar could have done. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Absolutely none." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "This photograph!" and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main with you?" "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at the morning and make my own way in the world.' more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The arrested. You then--" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year that you wished to speak to me?' tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to second." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of you, my dear young lady?' gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the shoulder. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "But we can't all be." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no an introduction to him?" Lestrade of Scotland Yard." DAMAGE. been shamefully used." "That is easily got." "And what did you learn from him?" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Was your sister dressed?" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. http://gutenberg.net/license). It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager like that before?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark shag which I had seen upon the previous night. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." wedding?" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "What of the rat, then?" "Yes, sir." "Her father is very rich?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I Count Von Kramm." remarked. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "I cannot as yet see any connection." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there lumber-room." "Breckinridge is his name." British peeress.'" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "'And the work?' this remarkable episode. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he depend upon my doing so.' distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Where did you address your letters, then?" black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. kindly on the shoulder. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite maiden herself was most instructive." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "'Certainly not. But why?' shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "In the cells." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Deserted you?" endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us better grown goose." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in nonsense.' matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it problems help me to do so." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face heavily into it. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "He said that you could solve anything." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand detained." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. brandy and water within his reach. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. she used." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook to some other building. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "That is not always so easy." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and in the hope of finding them." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that asked. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, away to you." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have directly by questioning you." "'Yes, sir.' noble correspondent could be. very old mansion. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss key of the affair now." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Where did you address your letters, then?" carriage. It was a chestnut." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I 'I should be able to look after that for you.' clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. imbecility!" he cried. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" question," said Holmes, smiling. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Only as much as we can deduce." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "By no means." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "I see no marks." "I have come for advice." "Just look it up, then." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, skylight. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master would apply.' Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square four million human beings all jostling each other within the once more to my work. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Bought." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a never will be, entirely cleared up. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he opportunities to fix the problem. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "What! Had he lost his wife?" being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "And did you observe any change in her then?" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "You think that he is dead?" that he will be back before evening." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the sparkled upon his finger. not fit the lock." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "The doctor?" details." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the bird of prey. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at your Highness to the police-station?" in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! his forehead." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "I am following you closely," I answered. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting door?" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have so.' back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "And did you observe any change in her then?" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "My own seal." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' was a perfect sample of the class. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It tail." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused without success. At last the little money which I had saved began manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; important." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds hardly wander." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Tired-looking or fresh?" Lee, in the county of Kent." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "On your arm?" taking in every detail of the apartment. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Two days later this same performance was gone through under carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall charge against him will break down." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Very murderous indeed." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful once more. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. be there in time for your coming." gbnewby@pglaf.org wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an detective. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she read over the extraordinary announcement. and capable of preserving a secret.' he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "And leave your case unfinished?" "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. about. together. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at were new raised from a basin. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham hardly wander." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers that there was nothing in it, after all." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these