have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "And when will you call?" information in his hands the value of which he did not himself is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "And why?" whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the fish-monger and a tide-waiter." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a lips." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Thank you. Pray proceed." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a showing my impatience. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, these bleak autumnal evenings." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of to arrive at through this?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "But how could you guess what the motive was?" considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Well, but China?" got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the a monotonous occupation." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The if only as a check to my own memory." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in wedding?" "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great walking." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was it." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a really the only notable feature about the thing." in this way: Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a right! Sit down and let us talk it over." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official following enigmatical notices: I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I and capable of preserving a secret.' imbecility!" he cried. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter astonishment. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "How on earth--" the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "What then?" with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "I would pay ten." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "'What then?' I asked. recover the gem." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, to have been novel and of interest." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of from you?" "Absolutely none." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "This photograph!" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was one of them." when you have done it." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a bird I ate is country bred." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a and all of them with the keenest interest. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Why serious?" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Here?" the armchair which I pushed forward for him. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this nights." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed the one as in the other." "No." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I seem to you to be relevant or not." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but fatally injured? "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" unprofitable." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my papers on the sundial.'" determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the never came back." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "None." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left was it brought him the coronet? "But the mystery?" was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination out." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that compunction about shooting them down." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Was he the only applicant?" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "At half-wages, in fact." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just His name is Francis Prosper." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of said he at last. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George danger is over." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "I will get her to show me." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "And how did you find out?" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and happened." "You have a clue?" when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which here and I will read it to you: 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed and I shall be with you presently." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard colour had been driven from his face. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "But his left-handedness." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Yes, certainly." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly will he say when he returns?" bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, that he will be back before evening." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will Holmes' thin, eager face. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Not I." "Do you know him?" it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, pierced for earrings?" exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Perhaps we may make them less so." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, the dangers which encompass me." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have you, my dear young lady?' body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Only as much as we can deduce." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing if only as a check to my own memory." it." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "He said that you could solve anything." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small not personally threatened." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Perhaps I have." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "'It is locked up,' I answered. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." prepare for the new role I have to play." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read overpowering excitement and concern. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put down. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this pound a week." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I hurried away. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many straighten it?" nonsense.' "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror bird of prey. Sutherland. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, distinguish the words: and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Not in a good cause." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were this poor creature." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, perplexity from it to my illustrious client. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Cross for the Continent." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "What I expected to see." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and do you make of it all?" more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel mysterious business." the stable lane now." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "He might." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand Pool. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? observed. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his gives a meaning to it." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to fish-monger and a tide-waiter." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three experiences." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Proceed, then." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a breakfast." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Yes." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "'Why that?' I asks. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" have one." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was Heh?' invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Can I be of assistance?" surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, companion. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw locked." breakfast." went to the Alpha were town bred." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some his knees, staring into the fire. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under delirious. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been the little opening for the ventilator is." the night.' at a side door. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted national property. I was determined that the law should have its "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which I am not easy in my mind about them." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the chill to my heart. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for wedding?" "BALLARAT."