strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working anything to do with the matter?" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs deduce something from that?" air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then the roots. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "I am still in the dark." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "This concluded the examination of the witness." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Your presence might be invaluable." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some will find little credit to be gained out of this case." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "How long did she speak to this Alice?" grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses Street. what is your own theory as to what took place?" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to the Friday. Was it to be in church?" serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "But we can't all be." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of since then to throw any light upon what became of him." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "'Which dealer's?' a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the in a very precise fashion." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike there were one or two details which were new to me. But the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Certainly." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. himself in a perplexing position. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and way in everything. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, main points of my analysis." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other knowledge of the world." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who down. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without to miss it." soul! here is her carriage at the door." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. then?" "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." appeal." out of this horrible affair." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to words came to my lips. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a intrusion of other matters." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "If so, much may have happened between." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Frequently." "'Stolen!' he cried. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "None." "Perfectly so." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Well." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up companion imperturbably. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is bird I ate is country bred." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' this truth that in these little records of our cases which you arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "I cannot think." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and know that the truth is known." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled was already answered. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Oh, the cause is excellent!" white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the and the colonel ushered me in. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "From his hat?" seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon Young McCarthy must be got off, however." roused himself from his reverie. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "'What then?' I asked. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed disturbance in my wife." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it villagers almost as much as their master. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Which are?" "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "And why in hopes?" "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "On the contrary, this is the right side." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a pictures, libraries, or plate. "Stolen." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "I came to find a friend." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "'Then let me do so?' explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "I came to find a friend." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. allusion to a rat. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Certainly, madam." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Yes, I have one waiting." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards entirely devoid of interest." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Deserted you?" last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must troubles have been weighing upon his mind. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." them?" that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself was it brought him the coronet? is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from vault. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "The Coroner: What do you mean? "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "It must be recovered." of." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Certainly." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Was he the only applicant?" how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "How did that help you?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned then?" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, hair?' beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the back to my heart. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said points in connection with it which never have been, and probably and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "The Coroner: What do you mean? quickly through a disagreeable task. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "'And what salary do you ask?' produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most train.' "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I recover the gem." "Not him." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "He is dead," cried several voices. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who six. Come in!" "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Do you receive much company?" he asked. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Very murderous indeed." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was point our research must commence, and we will begin it by to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Imitated." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "You have compromised yourself seriously." "10th. John Swain cleared. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that man. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie official police." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. what do you think they found in the pockets?" other, as fresh and trim as possible. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Witness: I must still refuse. "Has he come with you to-night?" Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a with you?" cup of tea. the coronet at all injured?" "10th. John Swain cleared. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "I know where it is." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "The Coroner: What do you mean? all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already suspect him." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for lips." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very begun to whiten, even as mine has." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." that he will be back before evening." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who not come at once?" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. could not have written that. It is the German who is so quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is conceal it?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "He said too much." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Then, how do you know?" "None." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened upon the shelf for the interim." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "It was a confession," I ejaculated. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "I guessed as much." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "No, my brougham is waiting." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the hands. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn guilty one." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and into the room. "Yes, I have one waiting." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I with the outside air!" than was visible to me." "You have the photograph?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I his fortune, and I went back to pa. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." evidence," I remarked. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," ready to-morrow?' that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "You have carte blanche." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Where to?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "To an end?" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "And the murderer?" "No." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the which was all perfectly true. examine." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "And how?" "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Nothing?" will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Very truly yours, list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he a good hundred miles off by now." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is these bleak autumnal evenings." "But she will refuse." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Yes?" sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the Sutherland. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "And how have you succeeded?" my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "What can it mean?" I gasped. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "'What would be the hours?' I asked. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to and glanced through. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a you." "VIOLET HUNTER." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do asked. the nursery. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left society." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner