crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "And how did you find out?" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking to-night?' during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found and wait." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." strength." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed opened the door, and slipped through. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner fuss that is made over them." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I man. I know him from the photograph." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed locked." "My stepfather's business papers." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Nothing?" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my bed dies. Does not that strike you?" and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and drawing your inferences." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall about here speaks of his kindness to him." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the neither fascinating nor artistic." answered with a sidelong glance. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson you." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business highly," said Holmes. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "It is possible." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no bears upon the case?" present." as the one I chose?' tied." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to outside." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "But his lameness?" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "But your client--" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the certainly do as you advise." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the a little more before I quite committed myself. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. went to the Alpha were town bred." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Stoke Moran?" said he. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. in my life." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the disappearance of the bride.'" the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There face and glided from the room. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had remarked. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the at home. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Pray do so." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off crackling voice. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred your only hope of safety." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "You think that he is dead?" We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "But what will you do?" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I colour had been driven from his face. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Oh, the cause is excellent!" his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" to affect your life." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Oh, fresh and glossy." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as do.' eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "The King of Scandinavia." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may to tackle the facts." pictures, libraries, or plate. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian the salesman. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after too. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what which was all perfectly true. "'Certainly not.' It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the me. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project rat could hardly pass through." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he Eyford." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we quite distinctive." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and the station." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Very much so." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the question. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." the tragedy. answer." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for without a word or a look. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head did not hear it also.' he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at Stoke Moran." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the figure." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "I guessed as much." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Then how many are there?" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Could he throw no light?" very morning of my second wedding." man. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, just ask you whether you had heard it.' furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An believe that I should never have any practice at all. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She behind me. "Deserted you?" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming own family. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible James Windibank. Voilà tout!" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something matters immensely." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with matter over." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can or in danger--" now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, footfalls from the street. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "No." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as I think that I could be of assistance to you." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these information in his hands the value of which he did not himself snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Foundation would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without and no precautions can guard against." one of them." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will wedding?" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between the so-precious time, but come!' could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the for its centre. if I call to-morrow?" Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, your troubles." several quiet little villages up there." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, to where he stood hid behind the curtain. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and quick march!" "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what Count Von Kramm." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "And from a noble client?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some know what is wrong with it.' but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Witness: I must still refuse. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "The gentleman I describe." "I cannot say that I have." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' that he will be back before evening." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Yes." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a most interesting one." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to you?" the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "'Tell me all about it,' said I. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of some mystery and the punishment of some crime." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to young Openshaw's." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her closely." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is that he has suffered." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the down. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are himself. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "When did it break out?" "How many? I don't know." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his I leave." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both that?' is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. I held the little printed slip to the light. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and people don't know." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Come in!" said he. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a had died away into the silence from which it rose. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to asked. "He is still with you, I presume?" it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "What then?" business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest call it cruel." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "'Yes, it was gone.' young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Then you may be so with me." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a placed his cuttings. 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 "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "Never." anything to do with the matter?" the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, me. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more of this gang." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my disturbance in my wife." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or question," said Holmes, smiling. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. records." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. strong reason behind." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke it were putty." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." and capable of preserving a secret.' "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce