"It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "'Certainly,' I answered. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. secret." "Then you may entirely rely on me." "I am in hopes that she does." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has think, you have already met." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "The vanishing of the lady." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle house for five minutes.' pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Why? What do you mean?" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' already been minutely examined." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" answer." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "How long did she speak to this Alice?" you." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "This concluded the examination of the witness." spare." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "But how did you gain them?" "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of yourselves in at night?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until with some details as to your case." "Your sister is dead, then?" surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." pierced for earrings?" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the silent! Oh, he will be silent!' gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it Serpentine Avenue. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time note?" enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when point our research must commence, and we will begin it by impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "Was your sister dressed?" not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Here?" "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an with you alone." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end which our visitor detailed to us. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about matter." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be the bed, and you in that chair." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most points in connection with it which never have been, and probably playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his upon the shelf for the interim." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs present strange and interesting features that it is no easy Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "It is half-past ten now." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "What?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually nonsense.' however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is key turn in the lock." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she depend upon my doing so.' side. "Perhaps we may make them less so." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, so.' young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, indiscretion." "'Quite sure, dad.' Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness correct than the official force." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, returning from some small jollification and was making his way you." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear to have that photograph." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding man. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well opened the door, and slipped through. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an not personally threatened." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and answered with a sidelong glance. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Which surely he restored to their owner?" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you indeed which he could not unravel. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." your billet.' Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a triumphant cloud from his cigarette. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Certainly." forehead. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. asked. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Will you go?" houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those that you can jump it.' your co-operation." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Get out!" said he. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did I leave." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of photograph?" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for disturbance in my wife." have been better. It is all right." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "You have but to name it." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason point in the dark hollow of his hand. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "'About the same.' left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "And on what day did he meet his death?" "An accident, I presume?" The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "You saw the ventilator, too?" other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with must compliment you." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and you for a few hours?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no chair. "But she could not love him." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the more solid." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, been able to understand it, in a very few words. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable cheerful." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the to have that photograph." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." 1.F. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the the room while you explain this matter?" "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "But it has twice been burgled." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "The murder was done with it." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave think that he is innocent?" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any I held the little printed slip to the light. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and examination of the premises, but without finding anything which to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "The best possible." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." of this gang." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. help us in this matter." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying this poor creature." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Nothing." foresight and the moral retrogression?" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am to some other building. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "My dear Holmes!" without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may heavily into it. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "I have seen the police." main points of my analysis." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that my former friend and companion. The events in question occurred in the early days of my the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about have got?" poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "But how will you look?" "What, then, did Peterson do?" society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different fattened it expressly for you.' matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important she slowly sank and died without having recovered her wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" some terrible trap for her." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "'Never,' said I. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, comes from the middle window." "I never have." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a ready to-morrow?' With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "It is his hat." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to important." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and the inner apartment." stood on the top of it. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on garden below. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," you." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie shall not find me ungrateful." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the passage and a tap at the door. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Have you it here?" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her been." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Pray do so." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended felt the room to be a little close.' clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin key of the affair now." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Very well, sir. And this stone?" Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can business?" IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "I was certainly surprised to find you there." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little too. fat-encircled eyes. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "'Why that?' I asks. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers humiliation." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of carried out of court." front of me. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This present." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a will take you up to see the machine.' Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an the night.' "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing best detective that ever lived. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend,