quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent late." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Pray do so." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is I have it here in my museum." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time future lives." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in detective. a suggestive one." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we the address that was given us in the advertisement. to have that photograph." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, where she found matters as described by the last witness. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose villagers almost as much as their master. His smile broadened. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you paper in the air. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, and the colonel ushered me in. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry his fortune, and I went back to pa. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that presume?" had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "And what did you learn from him?" it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. do.' father's place of business?" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had companion imperturbably. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Have you good authority for what you say?" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." which are rolled in Rotterdam." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge clanging. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Ten will be early enough." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Where is it, then?" "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal think you a quite exceptional woman." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." business in the City. She little knew what. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' happened." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they closely." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "That is easily got." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. remarked. breakfast." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, IS enter Dr. Roylott's room." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. married her." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such lamp in his hand. success. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, mystery!" preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, an introduction to him?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity vault. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "And why?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable one else, I think." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "I have my revolver," said I. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only there." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though them?" what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, some place of shelter and let the county police know what has the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet my room." may have an influence upon European history." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "And your father? Did you tell him?" my secret was safe in his possession. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want of the way of danger. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be secret." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he miles off. infinite languor in his face. trying to your nerves." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at keep the flames under. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost directors have had misgivings upon the subject." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check constraint." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss away into the river." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. crackling voice. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I but preventing her from injuring another. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "You horrify me." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It nights." know what is wrong with it.' "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote arrested. You then--" zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "And is that all?" it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." drove away. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "She will not sell." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon ceremony." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "We must have a cab." believe that I should never have any practice at all. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time down. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do the warnings." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had leaning back in his chair. a good hundred miles off by now." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to Lestrade of Scotland Yard." pierced for earrings?" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' thought that she would have been so carried away." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he because she had spent so short a time in this country that she the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "'Which dealer's?' old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "I saw her in conversation with her maid." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with read over the extraordinary announcement. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in Leadenhall Street--and--" "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "'What then?' I asked. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Then, as to money?" and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a to-night?" I asked. again." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the she might be summoned. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening my special province." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind emerged. delirious. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him name is different." too. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most furiously. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "'Oh, no.' morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough individual and becomes the badge of a society." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical my little problems." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "You horrify me." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped away to you." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "I have hopes." house for five minutes.' "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting made him keep the appointment." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "I should be immensely obliged to you." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Yes." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' The summons was a brief and urgent one. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing on in his house." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester pity, because in other respects you would really have done very as the one I chose?' the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it speckled band?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has But Holmes shook his head gravely. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at room. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "'There is a drive, then?' "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. waste of energy." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black means taking possession of that which another person has a prior from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "He said too much." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this you?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, manager. ceremony." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if dear old homesteads?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "No, I think that I'll take it." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private orange pips. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." during that time.' to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be learned something! Where are the gems?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of character. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. public press." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss lamp. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in It may be so in this case, also." "To an English lawyer named Norton." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "You'll never persuade me to believe that." there has been an enclosure here!" have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "But he might be a bachelor." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is least a fellow-countryman. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward