was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose waste of energy." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" one which it was hard to resist. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few round with crates and massive boxes. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not security.' fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." see me here to avoid scandal." society." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being sufficient punishment." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "'Never.' I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a writers could invent nothing more crude." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "But the mystery?" over his head with a sweet womanly caress. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in matter." "The Coroner: What do you mean? I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can derbies." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case newspaper selections." "You have a clue?" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the before the coroner and the police-court." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's believe that I should never have any practice at all. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had call you and give you the chance." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "At half-wages, in fact." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Ten will be early enough." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not said I. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," stood on the top of it. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Why? What do you mean?" "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they cigars in the box." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. and put his glass in his pocket. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in forbidden door. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it said he. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average dear old homesteads?" "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such both be extremely obliged.' "I never have." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they was shining brightly. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a horse could go." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Nothing." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very woman." system of imprisonment?" followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical in darkness. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." whereabouts. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Thank you. And your address?" little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "On Monday." with the outside air!" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Quite so." is acting for the best. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "He is still with you, I presume?" going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the there!' what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't the dangers which encompass me." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in you?" "No, I think that I'll take it." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that away in different directions, and I went off to make my own through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had o'clock is it?" seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, prove to be little relation between the different incidents of condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "It came here." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay again before evening." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious happened." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" and shall probably return to London by the evening train." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and without success. At last the little money which I had saved began who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" empty. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell the date of his supposed suicide." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." placed his cuttings. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by get the tickets." "How many? I don't know." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "You saw the ventilator, too?" Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off back into the street. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "'In my own bureau.' peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in of receipt of the work. desk. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your bill, which interests me deeply." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in been shamefully used." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all to me. in the hope of finding them." the best of training." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which that I may have something better before very many minutes are outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of there were so many in the whole country as were brought together his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every voice. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the only touch the interest." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Have you it here?" the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite to-night." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and occurred." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "It is half-past ten now." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Then you may be so with me." so.' and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if you give your casting vote to?" she to prove their authenticity?" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you carpenter." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards me." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "I am all attention, madam." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Awake, Watson?" he asked. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Not particularly." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "'And what salary do you ask?' agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, families. Now for the facts. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. bears upon the case?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything I nodded again. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think papers." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads subject to the trademark license, especially commercial was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, retorted upon me, and I on you." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage http://gutenberg.net/license). "BALLARAT." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable charged with?" have I gained?" eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to means taking possession of that which another person has a prior be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a question. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the I approached. "The rest you will leave in our hands." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Your sister is dead, then?" while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the the south-west, I see." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where where she found matters as described by the last witness. "I have a cab outside." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and your most interesting statement." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first unprecedented a position." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right did not hear it also.' ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a presented more singular features than that which was associated upon the sideboard." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "'Very good.' said he. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me papers on the sundial.'" himself. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not you?' "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain there has been an enclosure here!" may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until not personally threatened." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." standing smiling on the door-step. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, during that time.' quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. woven round him. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I would apply.' "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and upon a handsome competence. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause a suggestive one." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "And for present expenses?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "But I have heard all that you have heard." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a companion quietly. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' I nodded again. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of secret." "Pray tell us what has happened to you."