much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his crime. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even in him." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" power." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "But you can know nothing of this?" a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for it." mystery may be cleared along those lines." people in all walks of life. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 Holmes' face clouded over. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in figure." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" what I may call a really hard day's work." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "And for present expenses?" Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "The decline of his fortunes, then?" Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "I was certainly surprised to find you there." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by awaited us upon the table. ordinary clothes on?" stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in http://www.gutenberg.net houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of tapping his fingers upon the table. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Texas, I think." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" written. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are I am not easy in my mind about them." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office my room." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Witness: It was. "Thank you. Pray proceed." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "To an end?" can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no heavy and sharp instrument." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. tell me that you intended to go into harness." call for it in person on Monday morning.' reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Precisely." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has acquaintance?" was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several is acting for the best. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in Cross for the Continent." Surrey." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. of this gang." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry purpose equally well?" matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up over with notes and figures. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "It must be recovered." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." disturbance in my wife." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to vague figure huddled up in the darkness. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the opened the door, and slipped through. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "But you would not advise me to refuse?" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass arrested. You then--" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "I see many objections to any such theory." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, sneer upon his pale face. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I upon the white wrist. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Yes, only one." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few it were putty." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Certainly." "How many? I don't know." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "What, then?" me upon any point which I do not make clear." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, companion. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it chance." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "I warn you that they are very incomplete." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to vault. you want, then?' seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened said he at last. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." delighted to hear it," he said. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which and laid it on the table. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should breakfast." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no of the efforts of the United States government and of the better near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange light and attacked it." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking empty. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "I was sure that I might rely on you." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm said he, "my real name is James Ryder." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew again, where I was soon asleep. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and and the church but not where the lady lived." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "'Never.' "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life voice, changing her seat as requested. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a I nodded again. "She showed me, as I told you she would." introspective fashion. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than vague figure huddled up in the darkness. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Precisely." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Certainly, madam." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole companion imperturbably. for its centre. "Very. But will he see it?" answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem skylight. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "You know me, then?" desk. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who examine." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, simple cases which are so extremely difficult." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I pictures, libraries, or plate. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "The best possible." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the redistribution. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" open." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Do you go out much in society?" Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Where, indeed?" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, wife's character?" the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "None." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "No, my brougham is waiting." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "I cannot imagine." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that will not take me long to tell. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked to arrive at through this?" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "What!" he roared. washing it down with a long draught of water. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired fatally injured? despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our Mrs. Toller serenely. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being Holmes' room. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, was keenly on my guard against him. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "'No, I know no one in these parts.' Again Holmes raved in the air. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I is worth.' chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per as he remarks, very much against the son." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a This is what he says: "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Oh, yes, easily." "I should like to see him very much." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove felt?" offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come spark where all is dark to me." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if directors have had misgivings upon the subject." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Edgeware Road. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of business came to an end." "The murder was done with it." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to was once confined in the cab my mission was practically Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." shaken than I had ever seen him. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Perfectly so." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the pictures, libraries, or plate. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the your bag." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then bled considerably." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on this remarkable episode. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was the stable lane now." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "And how did you verify them?" "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the like gravel from a pit.' my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before of fine shops and stately business premises that they really the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. all-comprehensive glances. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Yesterday." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his fact, we may call it conclusive." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding again." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once into her hand at the door and which lured her within their that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up second." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "I see no marks." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "It's nothing of the kind." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the upon the shelf for the interim." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, to Leatherhead. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "On your arm?" years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "'Ample.' "Yes, it would be as well." foresight and the moral retrogression?" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the answer." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely breakfast?" important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke and that he would see to anything that turned up. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing daring than any effort of the imagination." "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Yes, sir."