another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the congratulate you again." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "At the wedding breakfast." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "In answer to an advertisement." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand open." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the look upon these things in a different way." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after the stable lane now." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be open." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal too. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "And how did you verify them?" hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "No, I had a dozen." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he happened." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Where did he live, then?" "Will you go?" Lestrade of Scotland Yard." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "It is to him that this trophy belongs." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the feature." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. fear." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. to change my dress. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in the night.' speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Really! You surprise me." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." chemical work which was so dear to him. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "You will not go there first?" "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some up this clue while it is still hot." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." was a lad." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." answer." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid in this note: secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and think you a quite exceptional woman." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he open." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Bought." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though easy-going way." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a when you have done it." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "But your client--" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a ordinary clothes on?" home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near I was concerned in it." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of felt the room to be a little close.' ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "It was a confession," I ejaculated. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Yes." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of husband's writing, madam." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." During two years I have had three consultations and one small first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and which are rolled in Rotterdam." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage comes from the middle window." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone vanished into the darkness. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in joking. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after overpowering excitement and concern. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very in this note: and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" little trying to do so much typewriting?" Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned little trying to do so much typewriting?" are windows in it, of course?" will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It way in everything. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had colour had been driven from his face. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who useful material for showing traces. The double line a little stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the be sorry for having acted so harshly." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." character. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Stolen, then." despaired of." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, happened." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no of your young ladies.' derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or call it cruel." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of said he. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that business." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Yes, from Horsham." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "And how did you verify them?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "So it appears." your equipment. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those to go into your room and bar your shutters?" little trying to do so much typewriting?" Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his handed it to him. indeed which he could not unravel. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester it means?" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we cigars in the box." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. promised to bring home. extraordinary contortions. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to purpose of examination. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be awaited us upon the table. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at Clair, of Lee." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "But we can't all be." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Yes, certainly." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. the matter." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a official police." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "When did she vanish, then?" papers." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the friend's singular character. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "On Monday." "'What do you call purely nominal?' "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for interests were the same as his." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for front of me. "A confidential servant?" "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Holmes, the busybody!" always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Pray be precise as to details," said he. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east any." and effective." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, hurried by. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this companion quietly. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions go--none." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the you came in." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet shaken than I had ever seen him. in a friendly supper." seen the man in the road." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "And your mother is alive?" web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Has he come with you to-night?" defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can there." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. indiscretion." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly presume?" the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, conclusions. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning has little to do with my story." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our in a friendly supper." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "'What then?' I asked. became a certainty. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and in the dead of the night?' loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce some place of shelter and let the county police know what has passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "A call for help, you thought?" rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the the running down." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be nights." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" made him keep the appointment." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It directors have had misgivings upon the subject." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece and inquire as to the address." "It is half-past ten now." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where that you wished to speak to me?' She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Why? What do you mean?" Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Ten will be early enough." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK in his power. absorbing." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "An enemy?" points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I Pope's Court. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "I will do it." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my less than 26s. 4d. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." with you alone." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "How often?" are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Was she in good spirits?" other, as fresh and trim as possible. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive would then never go into court at all." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a south, for the country is more deserted there." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do you?' girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I to Leatherhead. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great burst into a hearty fit of laughter. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do."