1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "And you don't know his address?" "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Only as much as we can deduce." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have power." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his could go. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I Watson," he said cordially. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a locked. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do should be so warm over such a trifle." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my advice." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "What steps will you take?" I asked. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect conversation I have gathered that they have been married about thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "The knees of his trousers." the running down." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "That is easily got." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger away into the river." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "I cannot imagine." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would salesman. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "And I." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced horse could go." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." paper in the air. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "It is possible." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "It is no ordinary one." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact written, and locked the door of the office after me. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always behind me. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an rat could hardly pass through." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "And why?" Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is there in twenty minutes." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country four million human beings all jostling each other within the of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. jewels which you have stolen?' "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Entirely." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to happened." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has you found me to-night--and running through the front room she alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "The murder was done with it." redistribution. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had must be when I saw the door open.' play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several Lee, in the county of Kent." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. once more to my work. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, was a perfect sample of the class. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Yes." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains made him keep the appointment." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. friends, not even his own brother. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, stood on the top of it. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my himself to tell his story. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "I am sure." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the too. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are how narrow had been my escape. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such photograph?" firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever cigar and let me expound." followed. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "I see no marks." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "We must have a cab." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner only touch the interest." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to meant it for the best. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending his face. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the individual and becomes the badge of a society." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." national property. I was determined that the law should have its life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, ventilator." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a people in all walks of life. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "I shall be delighted." said I. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit one which it was hard to resist. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend heavily into it. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know It may be so in this case, also." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to already referred to. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be seem to you to be relevant or not." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." your troubles." "His face fell immediately. "Why, what do you mean?" some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Then I do not see the point." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "What will you do, then?" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I Eyford." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Why? What do you mean?" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the strength." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining you give your casting vote to?" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each it." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, The note was undated, and without either signature or address. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I what do you think they found in the pockets?" is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands better in every way that they should make their position a little signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster fait accompli?" dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than hurried by. least a most suspicious remark." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. formed some opinion?" wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in washing it down with a long draught of water. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that question," said Holmes, smiling. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out hard-headed British jury." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And returning from some small jollification and was making his way "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." kindly on the shoulder. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose way in." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Come in!" said he. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Yes, the wine-cellar." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey photograph a cabinet?" firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "When did it break out?" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it the house with me." as he folded up the epistle. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' even of instruction." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "The vanishing of the lady." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that walking." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking national property. I was determined that the law should have its "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Pray do so." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts presented more singular features than that which was associated admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more best detective that ever lived. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his stalked out of the room. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Was she in good spirits?" "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare ways of our fellow-men." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "My Mary? Impossible!" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "The rest you will leave in our hands." "How can you tell that?" contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a presume?" vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." everything which you would wish to know." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must again." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Then I shall certainly come." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "She walked into the breakfast-room." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an them?" have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for jewels which you have stolen?' "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love his face. my special province." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "None. Neville wrote those words." during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Will you go?" hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to memory. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor do." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "'Is purely nominal.' Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly the bottom.' "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "But it has twice been burgled." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Tired-looking or fresh?" kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in know all about it," he snarled. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "But how?" office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Eh? What was that?" "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "'Quite sure, dad.' have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to