She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you once more. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "I am all attention, madam." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him be.' "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you morning." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not Literary Archive Foundation "No." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "And how did you find out?" ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I towards the blaze. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "ARAT," I read. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were will take you up to see the machine.' that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If tell him that I know him to be innocent." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a annoyance, but no jest. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main get her out of the way." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about would apply.' have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of sake, don't!" "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "When did it break out?" "It is to him that this trophy belongs." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and upon the white wrist. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first read over the extraordinary announcement. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Not yet." discontent upon his features. at home. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "I think that I had better go, Holmes." papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Because he was handy and would come cheap." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "'How far from the body?' "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this congenial hunt. "Then, how do you know?" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I province." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for hour?' copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "But she could not love him." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Do you know him?" "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "What will you say?" "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which hurried by. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. future lives." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and once more to my work. secret." "In the cells." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed must compliment you." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "On Monday." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "And I." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Dr. Becher's." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, of receipt of the work. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating and laid it on the table. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more already referred to. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "And how did you find out?" "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The of the vacancies.' "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "By train from Waterloo." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very future lives." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "10th. John Swain cleared. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds standing smiling on the door-step. other, as fresh and trim as possible. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Get out!" said he. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and figure." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and the very morning of the wedding." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Awake, Watson?" he asked. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or husband's writing, madam." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Eh? What was that?" fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered guilty one." out." Holmes. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." that singular points about the case. What did the police think of the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "I beg pardon." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of I nodded again. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking fasten all the windows?" was lame." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch lips." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Have you good authority for what you say?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might was keenly on my guard against him. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very been shamefully used." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at Doctor, of the paper and the date." front of me. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner the general public were present, then?" whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "But he might be a bachelor." already been minutely examined." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Can I be of assistance?" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll better grown goose." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices even of instruction." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "I cannot say that I have." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' we went to search for him, face downward in a little the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss appeared upon the scene." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and and the church but not where the lady lived." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. it. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "And how in the world did you find them?" my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in means taking possession of that which another person has a prior entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "To the police?" desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Was there a secret marriage?" truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of This is what he says: "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Why did you pick him?" rooms." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to seen the man in the road." as this. Pray let me have the details." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "What can it mean?" I gasped. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to silent! Oh, he will be silent!' ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very to miss it." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Never." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the been deceived." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between it with his own hands." do.' "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a deduce something from that?" wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "It is possible." them?" form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "What! Had he lost his wife?" to go into your room and bar your shutters?" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "I don't believe it." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in woman who has had her own way to make in the world. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Did you become engaged then?" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police hopeless attempt at recovering them." Miss Holder?" IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not the address that was given us in the advertisement. bell. Holmes whistled. "He is dead," cried several voices. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he of Fenchurch Street." "But how did you gain them?" and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Is he quiet?" bill, which interests me deeply." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Yes." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble face and glided from the room. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your that there was nothing in it, after all." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, perplexity from it to my illustrious client. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Ample." "You have but to name it." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, who was a member of your goose club." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and written, and locked the door of the office after me. placed his cuttings. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "But you were on a friendly footing?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "I do." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "I will get her to show me." arrested. You then--" "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," But Holmes shook his head gravely. quite distinctive." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Ample." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the