hair?' though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "An accident, I presume?" him. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources recover the gem." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Yes." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "It is no ordinary one." him, that man would not have given me such complete information eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Never." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "'Is purely nominal.' cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her learned something! Where are the gems?" air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Yes." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I forecastle of an emigrant ship. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "If so, much may have happened between." more solid." to his chemical studies. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "You think so, too?" arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door only touch the interest." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a at home. "Seven!" I answered. writing, and yet I know it well." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I cigars in the box." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "'Yes, sir.' bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, charged with?" that I may have something better before very many minutes are you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 it." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six to take care of herself." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "You have a clue?" the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of without a word or a look. the running down." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than digesting their breakfasts at home." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to in one or two places in England?' called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." remarked. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. assist you in forming an opinion." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all from the brougham. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "I was sure that I might rely on you." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain our word." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. Chief Executive and Director in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." your billet.' even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came himself to tell his story. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Of what day?" here." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." here." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "In answer to an advertisement." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the intrusion of other matters." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step you." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," relation between them, and what the object of his repeated thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "No sign of it?" and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a she slowly sank and died without having recovered her That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we carried out of court." never will be, entirely cleared up. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Breckinridge is his name." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the III. "'Most admirably.' at home. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." thought that she would have been so carried away." interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with the so-precious time, but come!' made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "I will not look." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could my little problems." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which the station." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' you in yours." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "It goes to the housekeeper's room." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "And from a noble client?" Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "How did you trace it, then?" Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the miles off. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Do you go out much in society?" A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them the warnings." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm to have been novel and of interest." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty your co-operation." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," generous with you in money matters.' The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered careless servant girl?" very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for you." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "'I shall certainly be there.' "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg brought there to personate someone, and the real person is blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "What office?" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the what I may call a really hard day's work." "Will you go?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary was the fact that his father should, according to his account, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "She will not sell." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and excitement. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "It came here." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Certainly, madam." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to crowd. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "One of the highest in England." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. do.' "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "But how could you guess what the motive was?" showing my impatience. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE troubles have been weighing upon his mind. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Very much so." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the my friend's incisive reasoning. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Was the window open?" drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "By no means." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I the best of training." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "The murder was done with it." "Never to return." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly strong reason behind." "What, then, did Peterson do?" having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "'What then?' I asked. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another closely." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "What! You do not mean bodies?" compunction about shooting them down." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was she slowly sank and died without having recovered her that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country dates and names. hurried away. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew our word." "Yes." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "And leave your case unfinished?" "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to indeed which he could not unravel. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Quite so." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" man. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and in his power. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the had formerly been in part my own. "How do you know, then?" hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between several quiet little villages up there." "The vanishing of the lady." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. arrested. You then--" and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "You think that he is dead?" A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on weigh very heavily upon my conscience." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is away into the river." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom the stable lane now." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she and wait." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "And the murderer?" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, hour?' which we had just quitted. "Upon what point?" bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "One?" white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "I think that it is very probable." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." seven miles from Eyford Station.' I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in her also." indeed which he could not unravel. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Yes." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate records." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "10th. John Swain cleared. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a License. You must require such a user to return or cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, newspaper selections." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, tell them apart.' in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. returning from some small jollification and was making his way behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "You horrify me!" A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still been." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "And leave your case unfinished?" exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and to where he stood hid behind the curtain. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The some city in a dream. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking there has been an enclosure here!"