in my life." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a me upon any point which I do not make clear." "I have a cab outside." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be the bed, and you in that chair." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well leave you to your papers for a little." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "And Irene Adler?" several quiet little villages up there." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and have I gained?" Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway to talk it over. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "You have it, sir, just as it happened." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "It was." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, his face. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Certainly." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "The decline of his fortunes, then?" I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, his fortune, and I went back to pa. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for dear old homesteads?" It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his most important business. It is probable that he will be away all came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. made his money." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Well?" slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary entirely devoid of interest." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the to change my dress. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "The doctor?" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the do." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. tension within him. seem to you to be relevant or not." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made other means.' most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if Cross for the Continent." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in one which it was hard to resist. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Entirely." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot past. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow on in his house." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the questionable one." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out which we had just quitted. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent the nursery. "What can you not understand?" "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "'I have already given you my word.' enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had helping a boy to put up the shutters. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Then you may be so with me." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "It is a murder, then?" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders remarked. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no just ask you whether you had heard it.' be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps everything which you would wish to know." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "We were both in the photograph." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in done what I asked you, Jones?" these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all at a side door. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "But I am all in the dark." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a directors have had misgivings upon the subject." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "By no means." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Yes, there are nearly always some there." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. gone. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. she to prove their authenticity?" "Never to return." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "'Ample.' "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is she to prove their authenticity?" every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling Holmes rather sternly. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such strength in the others." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no happened." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your think that he is innocent?" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom was shining brightly. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as when your master had gone out." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs became a certainty. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "It goes to the housekeeper's room." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "'Is 4 pounds a week.' determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." you." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where just ask you whether you had heard it.' It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "'Yes, sir.' "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing The note was undated, and without either signature or address. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Never to return." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "That also I could fathom." matter." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are gone before you can get him to hospital." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "He is still with you, I presume?" "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' Lee, in the county of Kent." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "I have my revolver," said I. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have was already answered. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? are, and they are waiting for us." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into plantation.' come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Upon what point?" "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "When did she vanish, then?" "And now?" I asked. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester questionable one." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "How are you getting on?" face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to present." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," name is different." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the how narrow had been my escape. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Ha! you find it so?" "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Eyford at 11:15.' such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where conclusions. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment quick march!" Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, galvanised. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "'How far from the body?' walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "To the police?" PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a during which he might have communicated with his friend the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. would then never go into court at all." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' and a shock of very red hair. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly mystery!" stood on the top of it. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to the address that was given us in the advertisement. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Yes." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small narrative." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Yes." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste feature." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If to tackle the facts." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; examine." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend yet." "And the murderer?" company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if past. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon made his money." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I It was close upon four before the door opened, and a controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Always." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, voice. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and villagers almost as much as their master. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "No, but the enclosure is." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" I leave." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I some terrible trap for her." quick march!" with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly populous neighbourhood." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for made him keep the appointment." late." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in light and attacked it." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." bird I ate is country bred." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "'Ample.' vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?"