sneer upon his pale face. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There were unconscious?" "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be bird of prey. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. them, and came down just as you departed. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Not in the least." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I suddenly upon us." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to you?' son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "On Monday." what I may call a really hard day's work." goes." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in imbecility!" he cried. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "What is it?" few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for better grown goose." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me not use it unless it is absolutely needed." relief. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for beyond words. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is papers diligently of late, have you not?" time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, as noiselessly as she had come. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Then what has happened to him?" Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Your French gold?" the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "'What would be the hours?' I asked. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. tear off another piece?' get her out of the way." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their me." you do it in twenty minutes!' singular points about the case. What did the police think of the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened gives a meaning to it." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Then what has happened to him?" her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" come either from the window or the door. My attention was you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Yes, that is the Crown." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "But not more so than I to find you." unclasping of his long thin hands. for securing the situation." "And now?" He raised his hand. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Absolutely none." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the breakfast." "He disappeared so suddenly." "'Where to?' however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "No good news?" at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "I would pay ten." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed wall." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "But you were on a friendly footing?" business in the City. She little knew what. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as I am not easy in my mind about them." taking in every detail of the apartment. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Precisely so. But how--" and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation it." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "That you are never beaten." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "'And the work?' at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "How do you know, then?" "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to I leave." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Was the window open?" "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to one else, I think." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it invisible to me," I remarked. bird of prey. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together so.' shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Stolen." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of answer." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a matter over." acquaintance?" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "It is half-past ten now." read over the extraordinary announcement. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a Dr. Gregory B. Newby exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "What!" he roared. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "You think that he is dead?" hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "But it has twice been burgled." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and down. "Really! You surprise me." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible 1.E.9. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round relief. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "'You cannot say what it was?' whether it answered to the description of any of their Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "By no means." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major promised to bring home. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never him, that man would not have given me such complete information time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. entirely devoid of interest." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet get the tickets." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "No, but the enclosure is." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "My Mary? Impossible!" gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Witness: I must still refuse. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature the coronet in his hands?" is worth.' re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my tied." to you." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Never." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in breakfast." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a the little opening for the ventilator is." it means?" "It surprised me." "My dear Holmes!" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of whether it answered to the description of any of their the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who the so-precious time, but come!' dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Yes, at the mines." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and Mary, has deserted me." "I was sure that I might rely on you." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right unprecedented a position." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are thirty. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has me have 200 pounds?' "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Thank you. Pray proceed." spark where all is dark to me." peculiar to him. that threaten you." humiliation." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "'And what salary do you ask?' corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "'About the same.' characteristics, but those are the more obvious." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot coat-tails." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Nothing?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Then you may entirely rely on me." one which it was hard to resist. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Then I can wait in the next room." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "What I expected to see." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "What steps will you take?" I asked. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "And on what day did he meet his death?" dates and names. "Who was the criminal, then?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 ran thus: "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as problems help me to do so." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." again." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, for and were ordered to this address. you give your casting vote to?" journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man it." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "But she will refuse." murdered man." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Sholtos." disappearance of these gems?" "So I heard. You have him here?" me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "In heaven's name, what for?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the to go into your room and bar your shutters?" unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The where she found matters as described by the last witness. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which attention." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "About a month then." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. carpenter." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I respectable self." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "What do you mean?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "What is it, then--a fire?" when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Yes, sir." "Was he the only applicant?" His name is Francis Prosper." "I will not look." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last train.' point in the dark hollow of his hand. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. man. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a here and I will read it to you: rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it leave you to your papers for a little." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, once more. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has client, rising. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "No doubt you think me mad?" said he.