grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "How did he come?" which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their my little problems." not come at once?" "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "An accident, I presume?" seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a bill, which interests me deeply." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "How are you getting on?" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I unprofitable." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be along the entire front of the house, with three long windows January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the woman." "Then he might have called to you?" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "You did not overhear what they said?" active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark unprecedented a position." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Not in a good cause." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were I held the little printed slip to the light. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do could not have written that. It is the German who is so away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire closely." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy would apply.' "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in charge against him will break down." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "One of his hands." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan of the way of danger. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "But how could you guess what the motive was?" have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with voice, changing her seat as requested. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that it were putty." him!" always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle answered with a sidelong glance. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." never to learn it at all." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to national property. I was determined that the law should have its felt the room to be a little close.' has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have brain must have something in it." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, Street. "Did you become engaged then?" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will have one." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin front of the hall door has given its name to the place. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At the running down." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "And why?" "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. Street. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you sparkled upon his finger. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again easy-going way." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Not him." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "And how have you succeeded?" his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and Miss Holder?" home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near you for a few hours?" lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; into the room. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Not yet." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "I saw her in conversation with her maid." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose his cane at the bell-pull. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "A client, then?" and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with key turn in the lock." heavy and sharp instrument." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "What office?" had a long day." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at upon the shelf for the interim." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. floor. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps to-night?' that you can jump it.' "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "'And what salary do you ask?' London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. Holmes. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my go--none." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have burst into a hearty fit of laughter. this poor creature." emerged. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only American. Then who could this American be, and why should he Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "'Yes, I promise.' should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been visitors." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun mystery!" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have voice, changing her seat as requested. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "He slept on the premises." became a certainty. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which this remarkable episode. where we are going." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all breakfast." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," the best of training." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your business?" "Perhaps we may make them less so." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "I am all attention, madam." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and wanted for ourselves." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by make me his representative both with the servants and with the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. status with the IRS. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an that there was nothing in it, after all." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Eyford." "Ample." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" have one." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "I fear not." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could on re-entering her father's house?" the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at strength in the others." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in at my own good fortune. cheerful." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to information in his hands the value of which he did not himself notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "And what did you learn from him?" them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful congenial hunt. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward detained." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "In the cells." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was train from Paddington which would bring you there at about Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was examination of the premises, but without finding anything which cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention Eyford at 11:15.' a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is your only hope of safety." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for interest. They are important, you understand, without being in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "You horrify me!" have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the vanished into the darkness. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram any." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of secret." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Not particularly." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "You don't mind breaking the law?" ourselves in the office." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." signal between you and your father? "And what did you learn from him?" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Ah!" appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "That is unusual in a young girl." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had wedding?" "How about poison?" to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed License. You must require such a user to return or black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get asked with his eyes open. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has the tragedy. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered recall any case within my experience which looked at the first flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I and the colonel ushered me in. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her him and tried to hold him back. "One of his hands." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." she might be summoned. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my against a man in the prime of life?" Clair, of Lee." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "By all means." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you there when the Rucastles went away." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Were they all fastened this morning?" laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "No sign of it?" course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "'And what are they worth?' I asked. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have lamp. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "We must have a cab." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "'I am sure if I had known--' not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "My opinion is in no way altered." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." the roots. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. strength." call it cruel." signal between you and your father? that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "His face fell immediately. "Nothing." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature go--none." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Certainly, madam." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would him. you?" must compliment you." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a were wasted." with some details as to your case." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband hopeless attempt at recovering them." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately hardly wander." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by trifles." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the case before our client came into the room." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to money should be paid at once.' there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own Cross for the Continent." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall head. So long, then!" very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at any more." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Nothing." your own bird, so if you wish--" Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it