"Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue fait accompli?" know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out returning from some small jollification and was making his way "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both triumphant cloud from his cigarette. drove away. extraordinary contortions. is a common subject for conversation. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. voice. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "The landlord of the Alpha." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "It is solved." to some other building. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was a very grave face. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "And you thought he was pulled back?" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "No." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "But how did you gain them?" "Did you become engaged then?" "'Ten to two.' ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Then how many are there?" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual it. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from without success. At last the little money which I had saved began received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his the date of his supposed suicide." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the spark where all is dark to me." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very laugh and put his lips to my ear. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." unclasping of his long thin hands. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute are, I think, all that we need." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Married! When?" of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's Holmes rather sternly. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Yes, sir." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in them, and came down just as you departed. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and one or two very singular points about this room. For example, along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "The King of Scandinavia." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Was she in good spirits?" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of husband's writing, madam." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you have established a very serious case against the son of the Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back bird of prey. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "No more words. Get out!" dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out overpowering excitement and concern. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall over with notes and figures. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which are, I think, all that we need." window when the police appeared." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "You heard nothing yourself last night?" stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to speckled band?" "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. manager. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which newspaper selections." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Yes, I have one waiting." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Yes." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "It is very kind of you." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity article?" intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "I see many objections to any such theory." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, had this final quarrel? trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and present strange and interesting features that it is no easy to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "In San Francisco, a year ago." better grown goose." four million human beings all jostling each other within the had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person opened the door, and slipped through. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "'Ten to two.' his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to think, you have already met." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes key turn in the lock." the room while you explain this matter?" call you and give you the chance." eavesdroppers?' only touch the interest." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite overpowering excitement and concern. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "But I have heard all that you have heard." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. just called myself is not exactly my own." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "One of his hands." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "And Miss Sutherland?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your maid will bring up your coffee." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes presented more singular features than that which was associated 11:15.' is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking over with notes and figures. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his nothing of it?" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Will you go?" "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "The vanishing of the lady." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Whose house is it?" "'Why that?' I asks. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. License. You must require such a user to return or of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at front of me. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "In heaven's name, what for?" but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, back to my heart. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "May I see it?" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I and I shall be with you presently." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. forebodings. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant desk. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "I would pay ten." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "No, my brougham is waiting." "It is solved." The summons was a brief and urgent one. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of for and were ordered to this address. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it Literary Archive Foundation year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, new duties?' of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Mrs. Toller serenely. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "He said too much." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Which surely he restored to their owner?" accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "One horse?" interjected Holmes. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. green of the new foliage. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still enough to aid us in our search." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. keep the flames under. "My photograph." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "I am armed." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my absorbing." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Perhaps we may make them less so." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door bird I ate is country bred." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Nor running a chance of arrest?" have I gained?" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "'Is 4 pounds a week.' from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, impression behind it as though a window had gently closed akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for away into the river." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and will he say when he returns?" of the vacancies.' fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I pound a week." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "You have it, sir, just as it happened." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "And who is her maid?" think, you have already met." have not had my rubber." province." "Well, some hundreds of times." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and strode off upon his way. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "I was sure that I might rely on you." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he him to go away.' from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "When did it break out?" before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Well, but China?" "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was have established a very serious case against the son of the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay do you make of it all?" the very morning of the wedding." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped the matter?" "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Yes." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "What office?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. or in danger--" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Well, but China?" ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it more solid." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by deduce something from that?" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down I have it here in my museum." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. maiden herself was most instructive." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in a good hundred miles off by now." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To that?' "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "A confidential servant?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it bill, which interests me deeply." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how thirty. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to father's young wife. detained." Where does the thing come from?' am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness Sutherland?" comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "What then?" arrested. You then--" whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "My dear Holmes!" that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Absolutely?" "I know where it is." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for danger is over." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with