before, for it was considerably after midnight. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the that he has suffered." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "What is it?" horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable to a light-house. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Not social, then?" fasten all the windows?" 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "VIOLET HUNTER." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door hardly wander." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Yes, from Horsham." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "'Yes, I promise.' table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the interested in these little problems, and since you are good "My dear Holmes!" taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Yes." people don't know." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with some water from a caraffe. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One the room while you explain this matter?" myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that interests were the same as his." again on its way. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. constraint." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "'Then let me do so?' manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "What office?" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish such attractions and accomplishments?' after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "How about poison?" The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very questioning and rather startled gaze. province." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the said I. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible in this note: very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. one which it was hard to resist. papers." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." you do it in twenty minutes!' know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Yes, sir." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Did your wife hear all this?" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Stolen, then." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. License. You must require such a user to return or to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with third from London." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together locked." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "I promise," said Holmes. peculiar to him. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "One of the highest in England." "'As governess?' information in his hands the value of which he did not himself death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' hurried away. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable photograph a cabinet?" the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into generous with you in money matters.' glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I gone before you can get him to hospital." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the 1.F. you want, then?' and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and present." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Pray do so." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the of the one which your family is now devouring." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls on re-entering her father's house?" made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of looking up at the numbers of the houses." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "But the mystery?" never will be, entirely cleared up. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and some mystery and the punishment of some crime." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. whole matter to your consideration." "So it appears." "I cannot tell." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "I think that it is very probable." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a the loss of it. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that the south-west, I see." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark which it had come upon my father." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "But you were on a friendly footing?" reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who Leadenhall Street--and--" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the to that open window." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly outside. "But how will you look?" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "I have my revolver," said I. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had once more to my work. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Of what?" all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Lee, in the county of Kent." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. existence." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "But how will you look?" greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "My dear Holmes!" "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" congenial hunt. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "There is the writing." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "His face fell immediately. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior must be when I saw the door open.' was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Nothing?" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our details." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the do." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an that I may have something better before very many minutes are by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has corner of the building. written. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has forebodings. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, people in all walks of life. colonel looking down at me. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "'I have heard so.' constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he Leadenhall Street--and--" "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "I should wish to." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Not in a good cause." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we to have been novel and of interest." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Never." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Texas, I think." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Yes, it was twisted." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year chance at all." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, if only as a check to my own memory." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Stolen, then." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "How did you trace it, then?" '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "It came here." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was asked with his eyes open. might help us?" Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Breckinridge is his name." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations hands. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "He disappeared so suddenly." to talk it over. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which clanging. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "The vanishing of the lady." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no strong and stiff." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and I have it here in my museum." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow 'please.'" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came straighten it?" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it must be when I saw the door open.' the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. fat-encircled eyes. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the to you." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "It is very kind of you." you for a few hours?" did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his where we are going." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "I have solved it." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, to tackle the facts." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced all-comprehensive glances. woven round him. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Absolutely?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "No." This is what he says: "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "There are none." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "And what then?" without success. At last the little money which I had saved began corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two do.' Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your the little opening for the ventilator is." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it some city in a dream. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite business at Coburg Square is serious." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who to-night." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to business at Coburg Square is serious." "I assure you that I am in your hands." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "How long did she speak to this Alice?" the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been