"I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire recover the gem." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies was keenly on my guard against him. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to it. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as his forehead." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white it." address. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will true." o'clock is it?" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with has little to do with my story." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of easy-going way." and the church but not where the lady lived." Farm upon the left." "Where did you address your letters, then?" first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "'Entirely.' again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "And Miss Sutherland?" possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, frequently gained my first real insight into the character of Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms is so. I know all about McCarthy." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it crime." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of rooms." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the has little to do with my story." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "None." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing the coronet in his hands?" at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some you." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "I fear not." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. all?" "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "No." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a an introduction to him?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "I see no marks." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project then?" the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush works. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, You want to know what became of those geese?" on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and followed. seven miles from Eyford Station.' address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' I took the paper from him and read as follows: to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each troubles have been weighing upon his mind. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." past. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his brain must have something in it." over with notes and figures. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. will take you up to see the machine.' circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered furiously. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "'Quite sure, dad.' well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the has little to do with my story." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Perhaps I have." "Where did he live, then?" horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Watson," he said cordially. brandy and water within his reach. "We must have a cab." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Serpentine Avenue. "It looks newer than the other things?" things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your this man was intellectual?" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a to tell." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "You horrify me." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the next day. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored to take care of herself." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to yet." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the better grown goose." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of has little to do with my story." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "'Most admirably.' The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and opportunities to fix the problem. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of rat could hardly pass through." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to Countess of Morcar's?" it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "When did it break out?" "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "What! a murderous attack?" I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "What are they?" would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the own family. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. the driver. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day and put his glass in his pocket. gentleman's clothes. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the annoyance, but no jest. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Could he throw no light?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Which surely he restored to their owner?" thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get main points of my analysis." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper photograph?" conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship opened the door, and slipped through. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little trifles." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of your co-operation." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address more terrible than the truth. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the written. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? Holmes rather sternly. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his as he remarks, very much against the son." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were affair. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. But Holmes shook his head gravely. how narrow had been my escape. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because You can understand that this register and diary may implicate upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "'Entirely.' "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the it. will take you up to see the machine.' furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying happened." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "That is unusual in a young girl." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in conduct the inquiry." conduct the inquiry." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Do you know him?" had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father new duties?' play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." as the one I chose?' "Stolen, then." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is swore that no one else had been in the front room during the the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest character. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the seven miles from Eyford Station.' married her." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door giving me time to thank him. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his companion imperturbably. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from hair?' late." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the interests were the same as his." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by never to learn it at all." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. front of me. "And you thought he was pulled back?" "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that Holmes rather sternly. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Entirely." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "I would give my fortune to have them back." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other sentimental considerations in the background which would induce homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "'And the work?' Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were noise which awoke you from your sleep?" little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that lumber-room." good-night and bustled off upon her way. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "A confidential servant?" "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael opened a pocket-book and took out a note. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "Yes, only one." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "I see many objections to any such theory." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have habit of advancing money.' the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "We were both in the photograph." "I see many objections to any such theory." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of that I can to serve you." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was have got?" and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which matter." "Certainly." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "It was an hour's good drive." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered maid will bring up your coffee." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, ashen face. "And how in the world did you find them?" "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Yesterday." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an During two years I have had three consultations and one small "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, vault. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Not in a good cause." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Quite so. She has her freedom." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" cup of tea. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to when your master had gone out." "Dark enough and sinister enough." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up past. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "And did you observe any change in her then?" Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great know what is wrong with it.' "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Will you go?" gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "And when will you call?" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on neither fascinating nor artistic." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "How about poison?" still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless be. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the had died away into the silence from which it rose. voice. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Yes." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "In answer to an advertisement." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any them, and came down just as you departed. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon you." felt?" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an like gravel from a pit.' daring than any effort of the imagination." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill amused." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Yes." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts."