"Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the room had already been engaged for us. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, society." keep the flames under. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the the date of his supposed suicide." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. national property. I was determined that the law should have its I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean bell. Holmes whistled. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to guilty parties." "I was mad--insane." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 to that open window." "Where, then?" "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler families. Now for the facts. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he enter into my head. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "We have tried and failed." "Oh, yes, easily." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss strength of mind to control. cause to be." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of shoulder. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, own family. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "But what will you do?" in his hands." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Has he come with you to-night?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "In which, sir?" and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who my friend's incisive reasoning. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the happened." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "'Most admirably.' mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall bore every mark of being an average commonplace British yourselves in at night?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Sutherland. "And I say east," said my patient. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass ourselves in the office." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, point in the dark hollow of his hand. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our so.' carried out of court." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Will you go?" direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Bought." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "If so, much may have happened between." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." were new raised from a basin. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "It missed him, then?" set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "No." "It is a murder, then?" Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither You want to know what became of those geese?" have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad the running down." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the ordinary clothes on?" with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "You have carte blanche." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "My own seal." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "By train from Waterloo." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "It missed him, then?" "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "And who is her maid?" one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Dark enough and sinister enough." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me colour had been driven from his face. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's entirely lost his self-respect." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until might help us?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of how narrow had been my escape. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself such person." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. heavy and sharp instrument." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his them, and came down just as you departed. "So it appears." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was any more." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card writing, and yet I know it well." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Dirty?" side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the which are rolled in Rotterdam." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. presume?" he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "No bad?" might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could the dangers which encompass me." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to room. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "About a month then." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his giving me time to thank him. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "But not more so than I to find you." it." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "I will get her to show me." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Entirely." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is eavesdroppers?' very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "That is it on the dressing-table." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to throat." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out once more to my work. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the carriage. It was a chestnut." "I say that I have solved it." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it go--none." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: you give your casting vote to?" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be matter." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "And how have you succeeded?" "My photograph." Street. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad opportunities to fix the problem. at home. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, observed. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my very morning of my second wedding." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the residence of the great financier. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any present strange and interesting features that it is no easy good-night and bustled off upon her way. said he. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you redistribution. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is that there was nothing in it, after all." "None." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Yes, he did." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "I answered that I had not. "That is easily got." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The to take care of herself." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my business." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, the room while you explain this matter?" bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday handed it to him. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Where is it, then?" friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and towards the blaze. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from you." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "One horse?" interjected Holmes. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "And Miss Sutherland?" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making beyond words. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I not as remarkable as your advertisement." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "'No, I know no one in these parts.' however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, late." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see them present such singular features as the strange train of all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you the coronet in his hand?" as he remarks, very much against the son." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in written. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I dead, shall be safe with us." here and I will read it to you: for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies happened." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." sparkled upon his finger. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me colonel looking down at me. "Here?" "Look there!" said he. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we crowd. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air down from London to inquire more deeply into it." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "I cannot as yet see any connection." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "I do." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "But we can't all be." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "But what harm can there be in that?" just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Ten will be early enough." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the awkward doing business with an alias." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "I think it very unlikely." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "No." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "So it appears." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place out." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if had picked up in the wood. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him.