the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "You forget that I know nothing about it." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "You forget that I know nothing about it." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you just ask you whether you had heard it.' list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just present." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern she has been waylaid. There has been no result." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "BALLARAT." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' matters immensely." future lives." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to point our research must commence, and we will begin it by his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of as yours." the matter." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard my former friend and companion. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward might have a private word with us. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of help us in this matter." "Nothing?" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been keep the flames under. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "You are all wrong." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "You were travelling in the States?" balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Really! You surprise me." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "What, then, did Peterson do?" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Precisely." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or cup of tea. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I gone before you can get him to hospital." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all than to us. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "We must have a cab." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Not him." the dangers which encompass me." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to you?" the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece hereditary King of Bohemia." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked begin with, and I had not got mine yet." 'please.'" VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Indeed! Whose, then?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on society." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations photograph?" have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still such person." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "'Never,' said I. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." the nursery. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "'A dozen yards or so.' expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Very much so." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is the stable lane now." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of business at Coburg Square is serious." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an directly by questioning you." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. you." Eyford at 11:15.' boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "'About the same.' that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have Surrey." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, thirty. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of awaited us upon the table. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon there were so many in the whole country as were brought together he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Entirely." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had rose-bushes. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it straightened it out again. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the hurried by. stalked out of the room. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Witness: I must still refuse. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Ah!" past. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Not yet." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since had picked up in the wood. manager. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and the coronet in his hands?" since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been before the coroner and the police-court." "To an end?" it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as call you and give you the chance." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, approach us with offers to donate. straightened it out again. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out article?" saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. wedding?" have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "And how did he make his money?" the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the photograph?" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began possible that we could bring him back to her? "I don't believe it." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was room had already been engaged for us. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, she has been waylaid. There has been no result." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the danger is over." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "I will try. What is it?" "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I the ceiling. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "What is it, then--a fire?" floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Of what day?" client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave get the tickets." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' Street. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he room. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in down. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had possible that we could bring him back to her? volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. peculiar to him. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He mystery." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which sake, don't!" to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece extraordinary contortions. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to discontent upon his features. writer." his fortune, and I went back to pa. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the forbidden door. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "'Where could I find him?' in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to His name is Francis Prosper." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to good-night and bustled off upon her way. my secret was safe in his possession. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in of it with the greatest attention. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or o'clock is it?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their swore that no one else had been in the front room during the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that your most interesting statement." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "So it appears." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" hopeless attempt at recovering them." be. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Dark enough and sinister enough." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise I am not easy in my mind about them." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. the best of training." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this key of the affair now." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "And your mother is alive?" "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in because she had spent so short a time in this country that she and laid it on the table. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert make me his representative both with the servants and with the his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. against a man in the prime of life?" coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "But what is it you wish?" "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for that I am arrested." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my key of the affair now." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey think that any burglar could have done. "'Certainly,' I answered. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Henry Baker is a member." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for throat." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." fluttered off among the others. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "You don't mind breaking the law?" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Not particularly." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on you found me to-night--and running through the front room she yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this Watson," he said cordially. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. forebodings. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this and the whole place is in a blaze." skylight. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At congratulate you again." said he at last. present." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with address. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Ha! you find it so?" the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "'Yes.' comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience may never be exposed to such a temptation." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "I never have." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the fire. You quite follow me?" insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella despair." before, for it was considerably after midnight. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with suspect him." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. bird I ate is country bred." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, the little opening for the ventilator is." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my hour?' morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "I am following you closely," I answered. fluttered off among the others. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I