to go into your room and bar your shutters?" best detective that ever lived. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must where we are going." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white Serpentine Avenue. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "But she will refuse." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Sutherland. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "He is dead," cried several voices. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle the night.' relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his been." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the strength of mind to control. upon the shelf for the interim." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about to where he stood hid behind the curtain. nonsense.' "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of little adventures." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "It looks newer than the other things?" carried out of court." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to together. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Was there a secret marriage?" London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every Have you good authority for what you say?" crime." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The DISSOLVED. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest will take you up to see the machine.' Again Holmes raved in the air. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "'And the work?' "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Then you may entirely rely on me." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special is worth.' kindly on the shoulder. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "BALLARAT." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the up this clue while it is still hot." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he people don't know." highroad, where all traces were lost. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have awkward doing business with an alias." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened absorbing." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is were wasted." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Yes, they were peculiar boots." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "'And the work?' and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Bought." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman details should find their way into the papers. Inspector and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this to tell." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "How did that help you?" me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent call you and give you the chance." forbidden door. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire the inner apartment." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what absolutely follow my advice in every respect." indeed which he could not unravel. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the in his power. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? do." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of emerged. events, Mr. Windibank!" it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable unprofitable." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and words came to my lips. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" grasp, he hurried from the room. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the him and tried to hold him back. tail." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked was feeling which was the fattest.' unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a during that time.' strode off upon his way. was feeling which was the fattest.' change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "You have a clue?" that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the observed. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that them?" with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Pray let us have it, for all that." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "And what did you learn from him?" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so at my remark. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if there has been an enclosure here!" to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, tear off another piece?' "Then I do not see the point." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three more solid." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it him to go away.' seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Certainly." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. just ask you whether you had heard it.' him!" The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit dates and names. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Very well, sir. And this stone?" regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could not use it unless it is absolutely needed." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" Lestrade of Scotland Yard." house for five minutes.' "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" even so self-evident a thing as that." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a formed some opinion?" as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of information in his hands the value of which he did not himself father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing desk. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to London for the present?" vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his an introduction to him?" we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "'Is purely nominal.' him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his purpose equally well?" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he words came to my lips. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "'Oh, no.' "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" bell. Holmes whistled. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, sake, don't!" "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Yes." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very girl said." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "'What are you doing there?' he asked. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into as he folded up the epistle. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely whether it answered to the description of any of their Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "No, I think that I'll take it." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll place of silver." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "I am following you closely," I answered. to affect your life." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you the room while you explain this matter?" completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step people in all walks of life. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only the room while you explain this matter?" can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Never." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Yes, only one." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from asked. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his floor. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "I am about to be married." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the was used.' that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and not personally threatened." forecastle of an emigrant ship. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "I will try. What is it?" alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an status with the IRS. "On your arm?" "No more words. Get out!" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Thank you. Pray proceed." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." sofa. This way, please!" and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have desk. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were believe that I should never have any practice at all. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry the so-precious time, but come!' do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master affair. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there over his head with a sweet womanly caress. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first into her hand at the door and which lured her within their my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "It certainly sounds feasible." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the indeed which he could not unravel. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, yards of it?' "No bad?" "And now?" He raised his hand. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." your own bird, so if you wish--" breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know Leadenhall Street--and--" Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, questionable one." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are