dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "And when will you call?" "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted trying to your nerves." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, voice, changing her seat as requested. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain garden below. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father allusion to a rat. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and to tackle the facts." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "None." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw carriage. It was a chestnut." that and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Ah, but I was recommended to you." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Murdered?" "A confidential servant?" and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and in his hands." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. upon the shelf for the interim." "But of what society?" "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an not within a twentieth part of the market price." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "'I have already given you my word.' income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He again before evening." "You have but to name it." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. any." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was records." be there in time for your coming." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing have been better. It is all right." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a me where it went to?" violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his helping a boy to put up the shutters. three fields round his house, and there he would take his murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the Farm upon the left." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, bird of prey. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "It is true that I have been generally successful." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Will you go?" may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now know all about it," he snarled. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood that you wished to speak to me?' overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They singular points about the case. What did the police think of the Holmes." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the the tragedy. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just his eyes and forehead. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I your bag." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "'Yes, I promise.' freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; was the fact that his father should, according to his account, and all of them with the keenest interest. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Not in a good cause." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his now. It seems that there had been some informality about their gives a meaning to it." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of the devil!" "'What do you call purely nominal?' arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps tapping his fingers upon the table. thirty. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the trying to your nerves." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "That was it, sir." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by visitors." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in several quiet little villages up there." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "By no means." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature stood on the top of it. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a friend's singular character. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden out." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted and the church but not where the lady lived." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "None." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, McCarthy." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it and prosperity to your house. Good-night." conclusions. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' invisible to me," I remarked. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the business matters.' tail." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. have an American origin." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "I cannot tell." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then it were putty." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal the side-table." "Stolen." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Was there a secret marriage?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "And Miss Sutherland?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. sneer upon his pale face. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Clair, of Lee." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not the matter?" resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See experiences." is four-and-twenty." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked and have this put in the evening papers." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to footfalls from the street. "How do you know, then?" direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect business at Coburg Square is serious." "Yes." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "'There is a drive, then?' the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of you." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and me what he had done with the three missing stones. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow happened." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he words came to my lips. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty the loss of it. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the constraint." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "No, but the enclosure is." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Won't it ring?" the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Yesterday." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Why? What do you mean?" time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits ourselves in the office." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Witness: I must still refuse. Pope's Court. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and said I. vault. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "I was mad--insane." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms about here speaks of his kindness to him." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Tired-looking or fresh?" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." attention." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his be. congenial hunt. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for your equipment. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty matters immensely." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that skylight. For additional contact information: regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, followed. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "What!" he roared. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about sit on the left-hand side of the driver." chair. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. straighten it?" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Absolutely none." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they examination of the premises, but without finding anything which alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of all that?" not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm generous with you in money matters.' gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend was already answered. out of this horrible affair." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' questioning and rather startled gaze. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very bill, which interests me deeply." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the of it with the greatest attention. foot. important." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are whatever might befall. posted to-day." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "It is possible." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "How often?" envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "By all means." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action him." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself matter over." "On the contrary, this is the right side." daring than any effort of the imagination." "On Monday." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "'And what salary do you ask?' room. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Did he not advertise?" "But how?" "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, colour had been driven from his face. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle detained." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "But you have hopes?" I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do triumphant cloud from his cigarette. furiously. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so appeared upon the scene." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. should be so warm over such a trifle." might help us?" corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who lamp. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. rose-bushes. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that mysterious end." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with