going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried than was visible to me." me. You must get home instantly and act." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Precisely." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black heavily into it. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a constraint." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the been with you?" surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous was it brought him the coronet? "You think so, too?" pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which of." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "None." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "You don't mind breaking the law?" to affect your life." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his him. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? suggested at once that there must be a communication between the photograph a cabinet?" nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down you." "No good news?" it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. not within a twentieth part of the market price." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It second." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "What! You do not mean bodies?" she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of begin with, and I had not got mine yet." second." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "It must be recovered." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears populous neighbourhood." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing crowd. like gravel from a pit.' He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to sentimental considerations in the background which would induce long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "I have hopes." than was visible to me." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "No." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for fashion which was peculiar to him. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "'I am sure if I had known--' was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in do.' your Highness to the police-station?" voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might meant." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was charged with?" "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of beg that you will break it off." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Of what day?" "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works people don't know." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "'Entirely.' All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant allusion to a rat. instituted." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a there!' Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "It's nothing of the kind." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining leave you to your papers for a little." an introduction to him?" the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the charge against him will break down." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "You have but to name it." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Frequently." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Mrs. Toller serenely. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the rooms." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can there were so many in the whole country as were brought together face and glided from the room. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "But he might be a bachelor." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have suggested at once that there must be a communication between the gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped you, my dear young lady?' it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the unprofitable." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and there were so many in the whole country as were brought together all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, guilty one." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and when you have done it." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we room had already been engaged for us. hands. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air gbnewby@pglaf.org prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "None." my little problems." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "But the mystery?" way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "And what then?" "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the mystery may be cleared along those lines." "But to whom?" dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" back to my heart. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice go back?" as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and the stable lane now." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as intrusion of other matters." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." back to my heart. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would of note-paper. It read in this fashion: step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, nothing of it?" speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "But you have hopes?" with her." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "I know where it is." "A client, then?" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "No, my brougham is waiting." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of Holmes rather sternly. should be so warm over such a trifle." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police October 9, 1890. sparkled upon his finger. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "No, finished." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in exactly what you advise." companion. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "But he might be a bachelor." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "On the contrary, this is the right side." observed. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of answer." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "I have hopes." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which was it brought him the coronet? derbies." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "I would pay ten." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' strength of mind to control. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "What then?" the roots. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that attention." himself. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, had formerly been in part my own. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord of the vacancies.' been lifted and conveyed somewhere." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and the Assizes." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Your French gold?" that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save make me his representative both with the servants and with the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Get out!" said he. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to congratulate you again." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was think that any burglar could have done. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from would apply.' "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Eyford at 11:15.' home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near of this gang." "Nothing." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. that you can jump it.' she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very you came in." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great trying to your nerves." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "It is solved." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, Farm upon the left." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. there when the Rucastles went away." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the of Mr. Rucastle's." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "None." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "'I have already given you my word.' "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you chamber." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham indeed happy." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Where, indeed?" once more. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless been." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "I fear not." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Then how many are there?" uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Where did you address your letters, then?" retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; your troubles." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional of." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against frequently gained my first real insight into the character of Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Well, it is a possible supposition." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no for the market.' facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "And why?" house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there