beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the compunction about shooting them down." in the hope of finding them." the bed, and you in that chair." bird I ate is country bred." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled means taking possession of that which another person has a prior but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your seem to you to be relevant or not." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate have accepted such a situation. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then distinguish the words: "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." this unhappy family?" push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in heavy and sharp instrument." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend derbies." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and nights." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he the matter?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in posted to-day." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm hour." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a go from here to the Strand." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I roused himself from his reverie. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," other, as fresh and trim as possible. there." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Then I am your man." lamp in his hand. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "The landlord of the Alpha." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are maiden herself was most instructive." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have if only as a check to my own memory." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could figure." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, the matter." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed attention." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of My friend smiled. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "No, distinctly professional." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be This is what he says: "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "She told me to ask you." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he breakfast?" despaired of." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Entirely." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." me upon any point which I do not make clear." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then The summons was a brief and urgent one. "No, distinctly professional." see me here to avoid scandal." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I despair." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, acted in my house last night?" a monotonous occupation." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "He disappeared so suddenly." hour?' orange pips. might help us?" black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend brandy and water within his reach. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social morning." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Your French gold?" "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. it." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only if I call to-morrow?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be people in all walks of life. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." with the outside air!" Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "I would give my fortune to have them back." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "No, my brougham is waiting." interest. They are important, you understand, without being Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "'In my own bureau.' signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up begin with, and I had not got mine yet." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Then how many are there?" my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's death." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive geese which you supplied to the Alpha." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "What then?" I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this meant it for the best. were wasted." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees mysterious end." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do closely." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small chill to my heart. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of be.' Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! Edgeware Road. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a have I gained?" home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Not him." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered again, where I was soon asleep. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about security.' "She showed me, as I told you she would." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, strong reason behind." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much had no one to advise her at such a crisis." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" I held the little printed slip to the light. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. said I. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Your presence might be invaluable." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking sentimental considerations in the background which would induce every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Yes, from Horsham." McCarthy's innocence. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that his eyes and forehead. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six my friend's incisive reasoning. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, what is your own theory as to what took place?" than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is have one." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able but preventing her from injuring another. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I in. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and key turn in the lock." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "This concluded the examination of the witness." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." directly by questioning you." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "'I shall certainly be there.' himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Could he throw no light?" little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this John Swain, of St. Augustine. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was a monotonous occupation." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "It was." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked subject to the trademark license, especially commercial to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom touch that coronet?' without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence of the efforts of the United States government and of the better probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When and the church but not where the lady lived." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was you for a few hours?" power." what do you think they found in the pockets?" "You horrify me!" have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the used to be." as he folded up the epistle. dramatic, in fact." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the his eyes and forehead. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "'Yes.' unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp back to my heart. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to corner of the building. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely least a most suspicious remark." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction go--none." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Then you may entirely rely on me." individual and becomes the badge of a society." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Yes, he did." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have future lives." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. spare." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do reach." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a chance at all." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Nothing?" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he upon the shelf for the interim." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "You have but to name it." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "No. His orders were to stay in the house." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." and looked back. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Were they all fastened this morning?" to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "What then?" laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" populous neighbourhood." was keenly on my guard against him. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Because he was handy and would come cheap." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "That was it, sir." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key