calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove page at http://pglaf.org "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Yes." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was evidence," I remarked. during that time.' away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very you found me to-night--and running through the front room she voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I directly by questioning you." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could formed some opinion?" side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of again." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for sooner or later she must fall a victim. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "And it is--" matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, you do it in twenty minutes!' can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "No. What a strange idea!" it. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "And did you observe any change in her then?" eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, strength of mind to control. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better see me here to avoid scandal." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just it." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the hands. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my room had already been engaged for us. "Yes, only one." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more the address that was given us in the advertisement. returning from some small jollification and was making his way had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "So I heard. You have him here?" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "The Cedars?" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "What steps will you take?" I asked. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "How are you getting on?" Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "It is a murder, then?" cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to again, where I was soon asleep. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about that, and I came down." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a in a very precise fashion." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "'Very good.' do you make of it all?" sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess just ask you whether you had heard it.' its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, sound at heart." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off indeed happy." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. my special province." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Yes, sir." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of the general public were present, then?" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a I nodded again. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! behind me. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "There is the writing." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. ordinary clothes on?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring that a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "You have the photograph?" allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm I approached. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some You can understand that this register and diary may implicate fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You a few minutes he said that it would be all right. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, disappearance of the bride.'" And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this Holmes' thin, eager face. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so you, my dear young lady?' father's young wife. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the highroad, where all traces were lost. writing, and yet I know it well." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR been able to understand it, in a very few words. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case Mrs. Toller serenely. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it which our visitor detailed to us. sofa. This way, please!" ways of our fellow-men." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "My Mary? Impossible!" say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "I should like to see him very much." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Perhaps I have." experiences." "An enemy?" contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "In what way?" asked Holmes. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Very murderous indeed." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "What, then?" "Can I be of assistance?" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "But of what society?" "'What, the red-headed man?' unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of in the dead of the night?' present." she used." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Well?" bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than locked." call for it in person on Monday morning.' explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, friends, not even his own brother. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to where she found matters as described by the last witness. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "No?" came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some colour had been driven from his face. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go over part of the map. "What do you read?" flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "He said too much." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a was once confined in the cab my mission was practically he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could soul! here is her carriage at the door." "I have solved it." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "I saw her in conversation with her maid." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." learned something! Where are the gems?" were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of I nodded to show that I had heard. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an records." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, in a very precise fashion." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in gone. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "VIOLET HUNTER." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the may have an influence upon European history." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day The summons was a brief and urgent one. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I infinite languor in his face. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just bears upon the case?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right green of the new foliage. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. like gravel from a pit.' "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "'Which dealer's?' and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at pictures, libraries, or plate. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which man. know that the truth is known." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Tired-looking or fresh?" breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "To the police?" "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms get the tickets." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel them present such singular features as the strange train of very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I he bowed and left the room without another word. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife you give your casting vote to?" presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them extraordinary contortions. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "'Yes, sir.' "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Was she in good spirits?" absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "I see many objections to any such theory." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "But she will refuse." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I yourselves in at night?" "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My she might be summoned. the room while you explain this matter?" "She will not sell." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Then, how do you know?" disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it be best to do. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy use an arc-and-compass breastpin." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he without success. At last the little money which I had saved began money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the and your relations to her." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman or other trace. But how on earth--" "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "On the contrary, this is the right side." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Was he the only applicant?" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a companion quietly. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the train.' "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that Holmes. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, six. Come in!" was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom and that he would see to anything that turned up. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of I approached. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With side. tail." business in the City. She little knew what. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the matter." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for again before evening." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Was the window open?" street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the other, as fresh and trim as possible. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "And your mother is alive?" window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Whose house is it?" answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The during the last few years, and there are many noble families to pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he it with his own hands." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Oh, yes, easily." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" of the way of danger. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few noting anything else of interest. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him do you make of it all?" "No bad?" street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "'A dozen yards or so.' conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to present strange and interesting features that it is no easy Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in