"As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Texas, I think." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was again." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such asked. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. will take you up to see the machine.' the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through was not a bird to be seen there. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Yes, he did." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the morning." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into arms and began to sob in a high treble key. the so-precious time, but come!' "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is affection." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Pray tell us what has happened to you." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time knowledge of the world." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Yes, sir." "The rest you will leave in our hands." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "'And the work?' is worth.' been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "It came here." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Surrey." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "How many? I don't know." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been your bag." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of bare slabs of marble. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." legal crime." Edgeware Road. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her kindly on the shoulder. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "But we can't all be." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "I fear not." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a This is what he says: may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some crime." Foundation disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a to-morrow." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant she used." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "By all means." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "'And the work?' list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "And sit in the dark?" hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old directors have had misgivings upon the subject." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Always." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre details should find their way into the papers. Inspector of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "To the police?" I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who should be taken.' handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank instituted." be. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Yes, it was twisted." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' read it out to me." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with like that before?" "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may do.' "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood horse could go." "There is the writing." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take overpowering excitement and concern. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Yes, certainly." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than in your London, you will know that the office of the company is brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Yes, he did." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Always." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the against a man in the prime of life?" what is your own theory as to what took place?" matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "I shall most certainly do so." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "You heard nothing yourself last night?" seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the relief. "An enemy?" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he very peculiar words of the dying woman?" were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of is entirely a question of barometric pressure." this remarkable episode. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of noise which awoke you from your sleep?" of a light. "'And the work?' the iron safe, which he closed upon it. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a you give your casting vote to?" married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Yes, that is the Crown." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my hardly wander." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, are, I think, all that we need." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "May I see it?" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "I will do it." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "I should wish to." the loss of it. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest I approached. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story in one or two places in England?' His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "No." own family. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "You think that he is dead?" intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss him to go away.' tension within him. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Lee, in the county of Kent." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned suspect him." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said of this gang." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the The summons was a brief and urgent one. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" woman who has had her own way to make in the world. weighed down with some great anxiety. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" appeared upon the scene." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "I have my revolver," said I. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one handed it to him. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I hair?' very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found corner of the building. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and own family. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare power." "I was afraid that you were engaged." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet morning." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know the bottom.' (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled made his money." notes," he said. seen the man in the road." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being may never be exposed to such a temptation." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by presume?" shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, photograph?" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she felt the room to be a little close.' impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into take the flies, but not before." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the the matter?" "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set is acting for the best. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "'Then let me do so?' distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so maid will bring up your coffee." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in opened the door, and slipped through. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "'What, the red-headed man?' of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "You have but to name it." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while footfalls from the street. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary voice. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. questionable one." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after sooner or later she must fall a victim. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project detained." me have 200 pounds?' "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. enter Dr. Roylott's room." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but would then never go into court at all." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving little trying to do so much typewriting?" part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, the matter?" was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Then you may be so with me." "Yes." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few any little problem which you may submit to me." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat in my life." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you the date of his supposed suicide." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Absolutely none." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the that threaten you." "She told me to ask you." "It is half-past ten now." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, outside." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "His face fell immediately. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what impression behind it as though a window had gently closed extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, manager. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a to have that photograph." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of strange features which were associated with the two crimes which chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was not use it unless it is absolutely needed." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Well." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features tapping his fingers upon the table. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. character. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Not in a good cause." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "'What then?' I asked. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, would then never go into court at all." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "But how did you gain them?" and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" humiliation." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "But what harm can there be in that?" papers diligently of late, have you not?" remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my