that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming union?" "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "And you don't know his address?" beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled round with crates and massive boxes. "None." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Indeed! Whose, then?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the appeared upon the scene." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the sparkled upon his finger. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped your room." Where does the thing come from?' murdered man." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "ARAT," I read. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "How did you deduce the select?" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then just called myself is not exactly my own." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that of it with the greatest attention. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Pray do so." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The and your relations to her." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have if I call to-morrow?" calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable already referred to. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our again." present." "Certainly." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Witness: I must still refuse. read it out to me." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I breakfast?" see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "We were both in the photograph." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the returned to France?" a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, daring than any effort of the imagination." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One London for the present?" more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "What I expected to see." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of examine." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Entirely." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we without success. At last the little money which I had saved began third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right time." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same note?" back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these you found me to-night--and running through the front room she ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and The events in question occurred in the early days of my with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and Sutherland?" "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these from the brougham. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic who was a member of your goose club." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent never will be, entirely cleared up. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of be.' actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door already been minutely examined." woven round him. should be taken.' delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Did he not advertise?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the you in yours." "The vanishing of the lady." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. purpose equally well?" was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I call the police, let the police find what they can.' "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was carriage. It was a chestnut." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" three of the beryls in it, was missing. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. from you?" and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always during that time.' visitors." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "What will you do, then?" to a light-house. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Dirty?" the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "And what did you learn from him?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Game for a morning drive?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from when you have done it." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" careless servant girl?" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more said he, "my real name is James Ryder." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "If so, much may have happened between." province." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child late!' on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Now, then, what's the last entry?" going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at becomes even more simple." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the recover the gem." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "I know where it is." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "And leave your case unfinished?" life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two highroad, where all traces were lost. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more the very letters. But what is this written above them?' He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a which was all perfectly true. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. depend upon my doing so.' what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard against a man in the prime of life?" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at not, dad?" she asked. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in think, you have already met." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind allusion to a rat. the inquest, and which are worth considering." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but went to the Alpha were town bred." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture society." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every it right.' idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Awake, Watson?" he asked. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for and looked back. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "No, thank goodness, she did not." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "'Certainly not.' colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "I cannot imagine." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of introspective fashion. is four-and-twenty." "I cannot say that I have." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "'You doubt its value?' he asked. minor matters until to-morrow." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been disappearance of these gems?" air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my were unconscious?" works. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking of receipt of the work. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the populous neighbourhood." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, Does that suggest anything?" as he folded up the epistle. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been late." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the 1.E.9. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, compunction about shooting them down." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen front of me. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "I cannot imagine." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his the inquest, and which are worth considering." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. was used.' They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and appointment with me for six o'clock?" "I say it is." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, Lee, in the county of Kent." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young wall." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place arrested. You then--" "'Then let me do so?' from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his crowd. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it head. So long, then!" Surrey." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I room had already been engaged for us. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it way in." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "It goes to the housekeeper's room." events than those which have happened in my own family." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "And when will you call?" prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the promised to bring home. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient noise which awoke you from your sleep?" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At his cane at the bell-pull. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed your own bird, so if you wish--" part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Thank you. Pray proceed." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint public press." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between voice, changing her seat as requested. hurried by. towards the blaze. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." the one as in the other." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." which are rolled in Rotterdam." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have conduct the inquiry." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "The Cedars?" house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the drawing your inferences." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "May I see it?" Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, distinguish the words: "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." be sorry for having acted so harshly." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Where, then?" "None." him. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, did not hear it also.' between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my of campaign. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated like gravel from a pit.' between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now as he folded up the epistle. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "No, finished." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the characteristics, but those are the more obvious." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "I should be immensely obliged to you." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "'Yes.' "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "I think it very unlikely." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "You did not overhear what they said?" qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and writers could invent nothing more crude." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a extraordinary contortions. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among of." in his power. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, his face which made him a very different person to the round, edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary upon the sideboard." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if introspective fashion. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John ready to-morrow?' "Seven!" I answered. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing;