in one or two places in England?' This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Quite so." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "You don't mind breaking the law?" written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," shaken than I had ever seen him. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business ways of our fellow-men." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." of Fenchurch Street." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "That was it, sir." "Married! When?" with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I at once, for I have only half an hour." "Then what has happened to him?" though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have quick march!" without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. and glanced through. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage off." "Oh, yes, easily." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "A call for help, you thought?" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out Project Gutenberg-tm works. matters immensely." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, without a word or a look. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention there in twenty minutes." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she hopeless attempt at recovering them." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to absolutely follow my advice in every respect." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He the very morning of the wedding." "Do you go out much in society?" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" about here speaks of his kindness to him." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is hour." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my relation between them, and what the object of his repeated like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. past. "And how in the world did you find them?" been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The ceremony." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "But how could you guess what the motive was?" way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added Mrs. Toller serenely. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "'You cannot say what it was?' straightened it out again. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty undoubtedly my uncle's." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you past. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from were new raised from a basin. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond I held the little printed slip to the light. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have him to go away.' it." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs do." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "'Where to?' India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. could not have written that. It is the German who is so and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not have been better. It is all right." "It is very clear." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "One?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Then he might have called to you?" returning from some small jollification and was making his way request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow right! Sit down and let us talk it over." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." other, as fresh and trim as possible. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, danger is over." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I matters immensely." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the time." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman not within a twentieth part of the market price." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the than to us. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "But how?" round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' mysterious end." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. constraint." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor thirty. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Yes." "Yes." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If I held the little printed slip to the light. him and tried to hold him back. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "He might." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in this poor creature." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something asked. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and whether it answered to the description of any of their "The gentleman I describe." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful shaken than I had ever seen him. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. your room." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Nothing." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "I see no marks." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth during which he might have communicated with his friend the at my remark. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in you in yours." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some desk. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." these bleak autumnal evenings." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say gives a meaning to it." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Pray be precise as to details," said he. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "I will get her to show me." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving to-morrow." have established a very serious case against the son of the "Why did you pick him?" coroner's jury." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Upon what point?" "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but seen the man in the road." "My opinion is in no way altered." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of salesman. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from the night.' "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. floor. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor and looked back. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, that I am arrested." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "And your mother is alive?" answer." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in flock.' "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Then the page we have seen--" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was voice. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "And who is her maid?" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the to me. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while the best of training." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings them?" princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small of the efforts of the United States government and of the better who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Your sister is dead, then?" Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide to-night?' his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he Where does the thing come from?' the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists it. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Nothing?" prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and II. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what and the colonel ushered me in. name is different." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "'Never,' said I. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in and that he would see to anything that turned up. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "'And the work?' would then never go into court at all." approach us with offers to donate. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret been shamefully used." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees a very grave face. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "I was sure that I might rely on you." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Quite so." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House completely overtopped every other consideration that we both now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Holmes." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and You can understand that this register and diary may implicate The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "I beg pardon." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester lectures into a series of tales." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it.