swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his are windows in it, of course?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a whole matter to your consideration." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the nothing with him." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a made his money." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every certainly not very gracious." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "My opinion is in no way altered." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "What I expected to see." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Foundation building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get rat could hardly pass through." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after me." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "And on what day did he meet his death?" and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand highly," said Holmes. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have stood on the top of it. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that himself to tell his story. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of any more." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "He slept on the premises." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. acquaintance?" her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, of the way of danger. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Entirely." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" is acting for the best. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for should be so warm over such a trifle." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Not him." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "I was sure that I might rely on you." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's This is what he says: than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that within hail.' morning." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed straightened it out again. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "But his left-handedness." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his John Swain, of St. Augustine. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather over here." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an it right.' "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to useful material for showing traces. The double line a little suggested at once that there must be a communication between the have established a very serious case against the son of the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis horse could go." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that me, and I could not think that his explanation of the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "How are you getting on?" at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the stepfather?" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A ago." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "What then?" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he must compliment you." drawing your inferences." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly completely overtopped every other consideration that we both Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Munro.' it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I very old mansion. kind enough to tell me what I should do." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was hair?' and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers sound at heart." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "You have but to name it." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave chair. public press." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. other means.' "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise despaired of." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Then I am your man." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." you in your example." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. his huge brown hands. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "You will not go there first?" "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps head. So long, then!" persecution?" my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "BALLARAT." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. other means.' always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "It's nothing of the kind." to Leatherhead. hair?' little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand http://gutenberg.net/license). beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if the so-precious time, but come!' "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the digesting their breakfasts at home." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged Pope's Court, Fleet Street." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Certainly." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "I cannot think." wife's character?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "No good news?" destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Come in!" said he. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' newspaper selections." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection the little opening for the ventilator is." more solid." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there narrative." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I would then never go into court at all." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me was feeling which was the fattest.' your room." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of made him keep the appointment." companion quietly. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "And I say east," said my patient. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. little trying to do so much typewriting?" ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by The King stared at him in amazement. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf touch that coronet?' traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came shadow pass over his face as I spoke. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "When did it break out?" abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. McCarthy." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging I. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a it right.' his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "'You doubt its value?' he asked. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't in my life." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, during which he might have communicated with his friend the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the prepare for the new role I have to play." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "'Very good.' to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "No. What a strange idea!" "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, good for you to do.' were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where married her." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" better grown goose." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were out." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the of Mr. Rucastle's." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I learned something! Where are the gems?" them?" generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "'What do you call purely nominal?' forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "You don't mind breaking the law?" compunction about shooting them down." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the coroner's jury." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to them?" breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been side. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The John Swain, of St. Augustine. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." fishes. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Dirty?" may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which than was visible to me." "'What then?' I asked. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "You don't mind breaking the law?" transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram wanted for ourselves." "And what did you learn from him?" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." relief. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "He slept on the premises." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary it." papers on the sundial.'" "No." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious of receipt of the work. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Munro.' his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb heavy and sharp instrument." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Chief Executive and Director from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "And on what day did he meet his death?" to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first what I may call a really hard day's work." or other trace. But how on earth--" "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you brain must have something in it."