You can understand that this register and diary may implicate grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort have had none more fantastic than this." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would already been minutely examined." "What do you mean?" in the dead of the night?' even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. placed his cuttings. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the drawing your inferences." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; fuss that is made over them." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring should be taken.' upon the white wrist. that there was nothing in it, after all." "And why in hopes?" the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall lamp in his hand. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it both be extremely obliged.' before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over be sorry for having acted so harshly." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "It is possible." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your tail." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not shaken than I had ever seen him. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "It's nothing of the kind." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "And Irene Adler?" "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Won't it ring?" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she there." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "No, I think that I'll take it." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his he died? case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Certainly." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar daring than any effort of the imagination." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in works. See paragraph 1.E below. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. investigation." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "What, then?" William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. papers on the sundial.'" "And your mother is alive?" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. him to go away.' "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "I am to be neutral?" trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who enter Dr. Roylott's room." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who arrested. You then--" "He is still with you, I presume?" gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made What do you deduce from it?" have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all morning." "Yes, certainly." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "It goes to the housekeeper's room." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of me upon any point which I do not make clear." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and out." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to disturbance in my wife." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Pray do so." served to weaken the effect. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those to tell." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Well." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a golden eyeglasses. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "What will you say?" and effective." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "But how did you gain them?" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." furiously. this as likely?" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, handed it to him. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed troubles have been weighing upon his mind. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm residence of the great financier. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, Mary, has deserted me." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view works. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those highroad, where all traces were lost. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "What then?" have I gained?" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Was she in good spirits?" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "What then?" Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently you in yours." depend upon my doing so.' once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our tell them apart.' of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the whole matter to your consideration." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker already referred to. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in me what he had done with the three missing stones. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the face and glided from the room. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The into the room. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "And is that all?" opened the door, and slipped through. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able has little to do with my story." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his charge against him will break down." just called myself is not exactly my own." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a photograph a cabinet?" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "You have a clue?" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like there is a decided draught." The King stared at him in amazement. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's into the room. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several at home. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "It was a confession," I ejaculated. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in so.' without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. rooms." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I tell him that I know him to be innocent." matters immensely." heavily into it. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest characteristics, but those are the more obvious." Henry Baker is a member." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Frequently." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Then you may entirely rely on me." DISSOLVED. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "'And what salary do you ask?' should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one are, and they are waiting for us." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "'I am sure that I do not know.' to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the might help us?" and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "VIOLET HUNTER." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. handed it to him. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it IS As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, persecution?" my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "And who is her maid?" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few and the church but not where the lady lived." address. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. any little problem which you may submit to me." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more me, and I could not think that his explanation of the McCarthy." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "How often?" object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Perhaps I have." Edgeware Road. chair. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Always." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. other, as fresh and trim as possible. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a of the way of danger. "I cannot say that I have." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman without success. At last the little money which I had saved began first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Certainly." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there behind me. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "What of the rat, then?" Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in during that time.' "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to furiously. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William in a very precise fashion." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project the matter?" "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I what I may call a really hard day's work." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can that the gas is not laid on in his house?" goes." one of the states of the Union." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Bought." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in closing the door. I nodded again. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Seven!" I answered. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I like that before?" discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. seem to you to be relevant or not." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been I. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "I beg pardon." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "How often?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client returning from some small jollification and was making his way the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "So I am. Very much so." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside ready to-morrow?' was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Not him." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "'I have heard so.' all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "No legal papers or certificates?" old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is there was no need for father to know." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me woman." carpenter." and that he would see to anything that turned up. them, and came down just as you departed. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." in his hands." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as you for a few hours?" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary power." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "One horse?" interjected Holmes. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, Again Holmes raved in the air. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that up this clue while it is still hot." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he would then never go into court at all." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." asked with his eyes open. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing village inn over there?" make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My digesting their breakfasts at home." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be gigantic client. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with