that I may have something better before very many minutes are of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb fashion which was peculiar to him. "About a month then." place no limit on the sum I may draw." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "The best possible." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "'What would be the hours?' I asked. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular Munro.' "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather matters immensely." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Not in a good cause." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no tell me that you intended to go into harness." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any than to us. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day families. Now for the facts. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." pierced for earrings?" value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "And you can do nothing until then?" should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "'Then let me do so?' important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp was a lad." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you system of imprisonment?" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down strength." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Of what?" of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is The summons was a brief and urgent one. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "And from a noble client?" been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair and shall probably return to London by the evening train." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found thirty. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "I have my revolver," said I. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more carpenter." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps nonsense.' me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "A confidential servant?" "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. was a perfect sample of the class. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "This photograph!" "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the companion. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "I am armed." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial constraint." "An accident, I presume?" of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." of his shoulders. "No." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "My dear Holmes!" the child." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped which it had come upon my father." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past tear off another piece?' accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Yes." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should Count Von Kramm." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Indeed! Whose, then?" some terrible trap for her." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On this man was intellectual?" hopeless attempt at recovering them." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." bearing upon the case." ways of our fellow-men." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at such person." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "No. His orders were to stay in the house." dear old homesteads?" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, begun to whiten, even as mine has." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the discontent upon his features. "How did he come?" upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "The landlord of the Alpha." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb upon the sideboard." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young disappearance of the bride.'" of campaign. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Where did he live, then?" helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly his face. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few have been better. It is all right." meanly of me." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in made his money." infinite languor in his face. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "And sit in the dark?" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the breakfast?" Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near in his power. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some there has been an enclosure here!" difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots unclasping of his long thin hands. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated business in the City. She little knew what. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "It was." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat breakfast." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, taking in every detail of the apartment. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss garden below. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "How did you deduce the select?" woven round him. "And what then?" to tell." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole just called myself is not exactly my own." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The man. I know him from the photograph." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Pray let us have it, for all that." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "I am to be neutral?" later, upon the night of May 2nd." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one opportunities to fix the problem. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage together. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we were wasted." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend bearing upon the case." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the ashen face. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable child?' return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could Doctor, of the paper and the date." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not touch that coronet?' broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and which our visitor detailed to us. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a I think that I could be of assistance to you." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "But I have heard all that you have heard." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "But you were on a friendly footing?" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "I say it is." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "But it has twice been burgled." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "No." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "What!" he roared. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "None." "'Where could I find him?' fashion which was peculiar to him. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." in him." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly meant." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my compunction about shooting them down." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "'About the same.' "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that directly by questioning you." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else breakfast?" think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the appointment with me for six o'clock?" suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "You forget that I know nothing about it." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I nothing of it?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "I think it very unlikely." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in other means.' professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, newspaper selections." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "I would pay ten." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I 'please.'" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "And Miss Sutherland?" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I But Holmes shook his head gravely. "You know me, then?" "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair bachelor.' real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "A client, then?" "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Ha! you find it so?" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. for securing the situation." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My works. See paragraph 1.E below. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "'Tell me all about it,' said I. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as business in the City. She little knew what. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "His face fell immediately. "To an English lawyer named Norton." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden prison!" this poor creature." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. over here." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are not within a twentieth part of the market price." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his gbnewby@pglaf.org whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We stood on the top of it. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "'I am sure if I had known--' Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from your most interesting statement." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "'No, I know no one in these parts.' and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "It is to him that this trophy belongs." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers as noiselessly as she had come. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, again on its way. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a manager. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room article?" you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere for securing the situation." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "'Certainly,' I answered. business in the City. She little knew what. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the had picked up in the wood. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "We have tried and failed." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the with her." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked prisoner's face. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he carried out of court." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing into the bag, and made for the door. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Yes, from Horsham." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of sake, don't!" from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a