other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "And I to find an enemy." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and into the room. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "I was mad--insane." present." question. like that before?" understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, my room." chance." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, becomes even more simple." astonishment. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a again before evening." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Did you observe the colour?" that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" answer." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "And I." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations the ceiling. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Yes." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. when your master had gone out." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "I beg pardon." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. examine." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready corner of the building. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's power." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Doctor, of the paper and the date." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly anything to a woman, for she would have her way." will not take me long to tell. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came really the only notable feature about the thing." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were obstinate." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To together. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a wife's character?" deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three was it brought him the coronet? insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. sparkled upon his finger. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, to have been novel and of interest." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Just look it up, then." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Perhaps I have." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all public press." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I me. his grey eyes. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Yes." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a him!" "My opinion is in no way altered." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "To an end?" fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "'I shall certainly be there.' late!' might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "She showed me, as I told you she would." secret." chamber." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they the running down." "'Is purely nominal.' ago." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able shadow pass over his face as I spoke. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the some city in a dream. whether it answered to the description of any of their it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; neither fascinating nor artistic." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to me. You must get home instantly and act." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts interest. They are important, you understand, without being and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. the matter." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "In what way?" asked Holmes. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his Again Holmes raved in the air. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold walking." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "'Quite sure, dad.' "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "It came here." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, should be so warm over such a trifle." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Eyford at 11:15.' "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "I see no marks." "'I shall certainly be there.' for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the as he remarks, very much against the son." "Come in!" said he. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a girl said." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "A confidential servant?" house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and hopeless attempt at recovering them." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Why, what do you mean?" to some other building. voice. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite nice household for a young lady." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a before the coroner and the police-court." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while the coronet in his hand?" pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is I nodded again. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "He said that you could solve anything." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Thank you. And your address?" multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "To an English lawyer named Norton." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "I cannot tell." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord how narrow had been my escape. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case may have an influence upon European history." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he of it with the greatest attention. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an meant it for the best. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, look dissatisfied." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of But Holmes shook his head gravely. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms important." meant it for the best. "Your French gold?" the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are horse could go." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The are, and they are waiting for us." it." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to window when the police appeared." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and Gutenberg-tm License. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this Sutherland?" dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. disappearance of the bride.'" we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, trifles." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "I am in hopes that she does." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of forbidden door. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a maiden herself was most instructive." had picked up in the wood. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, place no limit on the sum I may draw." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Dr. Becher's." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of behind me. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. congenial hunt. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." situation." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. to tell." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of anything to a woman, for she would have her way." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, sooner or later she must fall a victim. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Never." or other trace. But how on earth--" arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was weapon." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "What are they?" gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Then he might have called to you?" salesman. of Mr. Rucastle's." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Yes, I have one waiting." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached morning." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the for and were ordered to this address. "'Why that?' I asks. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front south, for the country is more deserted there." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in business." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon derbies." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through there has been an enclosure here!" and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found the morning and make my own way in the world.' Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this But Holmes shook his head gravely. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said know all about it," he snarled. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, pound a week." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is morning." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at of receipt of the work. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the her also." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in society." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "'Certainly not.' again before evening." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is not within a twentieth part of the market price." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found already referred to. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies not within a twentieth part of the market price." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master which we had just quitted. forbidden door. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger him." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Thank you. And your address?" already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a will find little credit to be gained out of this case." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I vault. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" anything to a woman, for she would have her way." chemical work which was so dear to him. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly