Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this the coroner come to?" Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the business matters.' "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from other, as fresh and trim as possible. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "An enemy?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at secret." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to shall not find me ungrateful." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, as the one I chose?' "Get out!" said he. whether it answered to the description of any of their shoulder. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Then I do not see the point." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "'Certainly not. But why?' - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "But his lameness?" "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a dead, shall be safe with us." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "But the mystery?" of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Then, how do you know?" passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the my former friend and companion. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the all-comprehensive glances. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "I answered that I had not. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been My friend smiled. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to to tackle the facts." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of advice." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in and all of them with the keenest interest. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been to a light-house. chance." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "If I can be of use." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last becomes even more simple." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to his huge brown hands. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, wedding?" nonsense.' tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded breakfast?" upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to presented more singular features than that which was associated prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly she used." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at felt the room to be a little close.' About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and country, and eventually married, without anyone having a attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "How did that help you?" probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "That is unusual in a young girl." it right.' complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my I am not easy in my mind about them." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, digesting their breakfasts at home." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "The rest you will leave in our hands." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Not him." will he say when he returns?" envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint lumber-room." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "'Where could I find him?' The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among someone who had been in Australia." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "The best possible." "I have hopes." forecastle of an emigrant ship. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the crowd. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire to-night?' study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "But his lameness?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "'And the work?' therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what confronted him. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my just called myself is not exactly my own." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Pray do so." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' have I gained?" inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side feature." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "We have tried and failed." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, during the last few years, and there are many noble families to these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who strange features which were associated with the two crimes which of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort more terrible than the truth. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over like gravel from a pit.' "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, tell him that I know him to be innocent." you?" shall use the carriage to-night." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, he died? "No, I am descending." anything to do with the matter?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I the room while you explain this matter?" you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for to his chemical studies. assist you in forming an opinion." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "What can it mean?" I gasped. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. wife's character?" He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "But she could not love him." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this in darkness. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined Pool. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our how narrow had been my escape. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Yes, but only for you and me." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation Arthur Conan Doyle act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the and that he would see to anything that turned up. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "By no means." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at companion quietly. the ceiling. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than several quiet little villages up there." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but meanly of me." your bag." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions it. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the events, Mr. Windibank!" My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, During two years I have had three consultations and one small double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to geese which you supplied to the Alpha." distinguish the words: connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Absolutely?" that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled that he has suffered." "You have a clue?" enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, asked with his eyes open. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told have had none more fantastic than this." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start foresight and the moral retrogression?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, past. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked heavy and sharp instrument." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "No, distinctly professional." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a stood on the top of it. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how waste of energy." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an been deceived." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." nice household for a young lady." shoulder; "he's all right." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "You have but to name it." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "The decline of his fortunes, then?" upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "What then?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "And when will you call?" of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as was lame." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' success. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Where to?" will find little credit to be gained out of this case." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Count Von Kramm." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "On the contrary, this is the right side." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient Miss Holder?" what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said him to be an active member of the medical profession." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that that the gas is not laid on in his house?" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and golden eyeglasses. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Then I am your man." opened the door, and slipped through. very morning of my second wedding." "I was sure that I might rely on you." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "And you don't know his address?" Sutherland. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is