rose-bushes. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "'Not at all. I only doubt--' fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Proceed, then." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn seven miles from Eyford Station.' "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found suggested at once that there must be a communication between the fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "BALLARAT." which we had just quitted. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most retorted upon me, and I on you." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "And I say east," said my patient. developed." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and infinite languor in his face. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" wedding?" "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, these bleak autumnal evenings." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in did not hear it also.' opportunities to fix the problem. upon the sideboard." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out occurred." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be sofa. This way, please!" Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of bore every mark of being an average commonplace British or other trace. But how on earth--" sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "How did you trace it, then?" quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a young Openshaw's." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his giving me time to thank him. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that me, and I could not think that his explanation of the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "And when will you call?" Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your instincts rose up against that laugh. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Stoke Moran?" said he. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the companion quietly. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a envelope. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in success. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "What office?" Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "I fear not." with some details as to your case." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no dead, shall be safe with us." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his made his money." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a meant." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main hour?' strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "You saw the ventilator, too?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant to that open window." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope all that?" every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty with her." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Have you it here?" that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "But not more so than I to find you." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Yes, only one." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "But she could not love him." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any from the brougham. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I indeed which he could not unravel. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "'What then?' I asked. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his amused." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were things are very often connected not with the larger but with the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say shadow pass over his face as I spoke. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice wedding?" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under about. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, breakfast." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "And you don't know his address?" centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "I shall most certainly do so." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Not in a good cause." Holmes' face clouded over. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "What can you not understand?" provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "No." "Where, indeed?" see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "There are none." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall golden eyeglasses. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I with frightened eyes at his accuser. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang is," said he presently: extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of never came back." despaired of." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Not yet." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him and shall probably return to London by the evening train." away into the river." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the for its centre. "My dear Holmes!" seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "And is that all?" into the bag, and made for the door. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "I promise," said Holmes. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, page at http://pglaf.org although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a the coroner come to?" into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so strong reason behind." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done awkward doing business with an alias." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Leadenhall Street--and--" "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose might help us?" Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me absorbing." me." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "But you can know nothing of this?" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable ordinary clothes on?" Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his towards the blaze. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "But not more so than I to find you." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my business in the City. She little knew what. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him to me. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must His name is Francis Prosper." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a breakfast." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative had formerly been in part my own. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you matter over." "'Yes, sir.' "My last client of the sort was a king." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and conduct the inquiry." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. my special province." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes lamp in his hand. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly sneer upon his pale face. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, something of him before." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." purpose of examination. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, room?" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all him." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "What! a murderous attack?" "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" morning." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Yes." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, is acting for the best. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it I am not easy in my mind about them." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent purpose equally well?" by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But of note-paper. It read in this fashion: and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and papers." my little problems." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive coroner's jury." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out and the church but not where the lady lived." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled dates and names. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing passage and a tap at the door. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "What then?" room had already been engaged for us. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and night.' said he. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, confronted him. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's carpenter." recover the gem." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." colonel looking down at me. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "What have you to say now?" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "From his hat?" I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation.