Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It License. You must require such a user to return or wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the matters immensely." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Always." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between McCarthy." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." Have you good authority for what you say?" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the quick march!" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque you for a few hours?" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "No, my brougham is waiting." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Murdered?" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Stoke Moran?" said he. "I don't believe it." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, if I call to-morrow?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a gone. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, third from London." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up of it with the greatest attention. way in everything. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell that you can jump it.' the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Proceed, then." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no which was all perfectly true. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "We have tried and failed." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Well, some hundreds of times." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an ready to-morrow?' "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "My dear Holmes!" What do you deduce from it?" side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Then the page we have seen--" my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it than was visible to me." without a word or a look. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Just look it up, then." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, to have that photograph." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Clair, of Lee." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office father's young wife. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "My Mary? Impossible!" I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional will not take me long to tell. papers must be those that are destroyed.' you." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would highly," said Holmes. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Frequently." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact cheerful." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed written, and locked the door of the office after me. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great he died? "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly bed dies. Does not that strike you?" of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Then he might have called to you?" him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than there." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He useful material for showing traces. The double line a little trifles." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing light and attacked it." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "9th. McCauley cleared. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to the room while you explain this matter?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong could gather together that I was able to avert another public eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money Stoke Moran." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you interested in these little problems, and since you are good waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for have established a very serious case against the son of the pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "And it is--" the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Sutherland?" helping a boy to put up the shutters. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless how narrow had been my escape. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few himself. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very stood on the top of it. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were directors have had misgivings upon the subject." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' it. girl said." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which to have that photograph." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as anything to do with the matter?" "She told me to ask you." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any putting in the horse. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, are windows in it, of course?" whether it answered to the description of any of their a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, crime. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "And how?" little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil next day. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a been." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had test if we have an answer to our advertisement." past. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and Sutherland?" a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was character. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it some city in a dream. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "'And the work?' weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Then he might have called to you?" "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. chill to my heart. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through used to be." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an later, upon the night of May 2nd." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in It may be so in this case, also." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Murdered?" a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If in the dead of the night?' The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the window when the police appeared." "'Oh, no.' clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Yes, they were peculiar boots." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "You heard nothing yourself last night?" the south-west, I see." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very to have that photograph." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door father's young wife. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "I promise," said Holmes. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Then what has happened to him?" The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "I have my revolver," said I. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Did he not advertise?" derbies." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not be best to do. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales forebodings. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See of campaign. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the here and I will read it to you: well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Yes, he did." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made had this final quarrel? which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in already been minutely examined." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to politicians who had been sent down from the North. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is the nursery. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Dr. Gregory B. Newby "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich closely." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to considering the formidable letters which were received by himself serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some it? Did I buy the geese off you?" advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "But your client--" I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Sutherland. the bottom.' glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in had no one to advise her at such a crisis." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Did you observe the colour?" the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." to-night?' shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Dirty?" "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would more terrible than the truth. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "She told me to ask you." that I am arrested." back alive. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" that he will be back before evening." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each help us in this matter." the night.' "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Imitated." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens husband's writing, madam." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been humiliation." there when the Rucastles went away." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of of campaign. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Do you know him?" "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Just look it up, then." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "To ruin me." happened." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "On your arm?" though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and His name is Francis Prosper." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I salesman. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two my secret was safe in his possession. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed time." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I think, you have already met." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a that he has suffered." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera which are rolled in Rotterdam." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I