maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "But I have heard all that you have heard." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture at my own good fortune. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." had died away into the silence from which it rose. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able considering the formidable letters which were received by himself wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the and all of them with the keenest interest. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man had picked up in the wood. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than papers must be those that are destroyed.' "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of you want, then?' your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end what is your own theory as to what took place?" it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it Watson," he said cordially. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in to have been novel and of interest." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! returning from some small jollification and was making his way "And how did you verify them?" fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. quickly through a disagreeable task. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg went to the Alpha were town bred." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "We have tried and failed." entirely devoid of interest." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Yes, it would be as well." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "By no means." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. new acquaintance to Baker Street. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a answer." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking opportunities to fix the problem. in him." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his the one as in the other." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Countess of Morcar's?" "You don't mind breaking the law?" Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not test if we have an answer to our advertisement." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely vault. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "And help." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "We were both in the photograph." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which information in his hands the value of which he did not himself one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain him. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "But how?" fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I matter." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey from you?" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling License. You must require such a user to return or in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most your room." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps What do you deduce from it?" "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, noting anything else of interest. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in coroner's jury." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "You are hungry," I remarked. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in clang of the bell. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously investigation." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not or other trace. But how on earth--" "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in to a light-house. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, you, my dear young lady?' from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "How on earth--" sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he occupations.' "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of shoulder. note?" against a man in the prime of life?" that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' intrusion of other matters." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "I say it is." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by so.' that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my friend's singular character. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. young Openshaw's." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" best detective that ever lived. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "I never have." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "I will try. What is it?" hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" affection." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which must be when I saw the door open.' shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with gentleman's clothes. "That is it on the dressing-table." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Never." locked." sufficient punishment." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I bell. Holmes whistled. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "But how will you look?" Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a unclasping of his long thin hands. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had some mystery and the punishment of some crime." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "I will get her to show me." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." him nearly every evening." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they me have 200 pounds?' left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a fear." prisoner's face. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and extraordinary contortions. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Absolutely?" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in had this final quarrel? clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at thin legs towards the fire. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Was she in good spirits?" Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad them?" Lee, in the county of Kent." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," hair?' his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a so far?" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had for and were ordered to this address. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "'I shall certainly be there.' "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' all that?" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between went to the Alpha were town bred." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are was used.' "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I of his shoulders. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which brandy and water within his reach. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "It is true that I have been generally successful." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to stepfather?" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Ha! you find it so?" "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight at a side door. "The rest you will leave in our hands." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie four million human beings all jostling each other within the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "And now?" I asked. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but it right.' Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can presented which may be striking and bizarre without being that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or became a certainty. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the strode off upon his way. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view views." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more if she died from some sudden fright." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to delighted to hear it," he said. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "I guessed as much." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "But the mystery?" slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Dr. Becher's." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there a few minutes he said that it would be all right. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now to where he stood hid behind the curtain. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by conceal it?" "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Literary Archive Foundation he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Yes, only one." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event comes from the middle window." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even about. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "That is possible." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "I would give my fortune to have them back." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "She will not sell." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "How did he come?" than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Yes." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for served to weaken the effect. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see one which it was hard to resist. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "I have come for advice." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such away to you." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a call it cruel." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong