mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her take the flies, but not before." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, take the flies, but not before." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' over his head with a sweet womanly caress. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." shaken than I had ever seen him. meanly of me." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "About a month then." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "How long did she speak to this Alice?" showing my impatience. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, nice household for a young lady." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "That is also quite modern," said the lady. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Who by?" shoulder; "he's all right." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Witness: I must still refuse. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "'Stolen!' he cried. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and place no limit on the sum I may draw." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to nonsense.' delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Was he the only applicant?" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to it. the roots. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for in the port of London." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Yes." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this seem to you to be relevant or not." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I annoyance, but no jest. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the characteristics, but those are the more obvious." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "'You doubt its value?' he asked. learned something! Where are the gems?" We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had any more." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "But how did you gain them?" coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, fasten all the windows?" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that photograph?" "Precisely." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship child?' "Nothing?" traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he his knees, staring into the fire. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." your co-operation." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush address. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite you came in." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my kind enough to tell me what I should do." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, the matter?" "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only hands. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "My dear Holmes!" first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another happened." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had father's young wife. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking assist you in forming an opinion." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Certainly, madam." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or should be so warm over such a trifle." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious careless servant girl?" "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will back into the street. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "It is possible." certainly not very gracious." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours public press." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "'What, the red-headed man?' circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an exactly what you advise." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "I have a cab outside." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "'Stolen!' he cried. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace furiously. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have think, you have already met." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. relief. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for conceal it?" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "You know me, then?" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon client, rising. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "One?" IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "It must be recovered." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands asked. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw been." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! the loss of it. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, better grown goose." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a I nodded again. "But how did you gain them?" occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "I am about to be married." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her the bed, and you in that chair." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the unclasping of his long thin hands. "That's no good." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "I am about to be married." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "There is the writing." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." beg that you will break it off." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "'There is a drive, then?' "Imitated." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, foot. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I it right.' his face which made him a very different person to the round, through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears obstinate." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of beg that you will break it off." leave you to your papers for a little." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of mystery!" "None." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at which should have the effect of calling the attention of the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there call for it in person on Monday morning.' "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel system of imprisonment?" mystery." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "But it has twice been burgled." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "You have but to name it." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "I answered that I had not. shoulder. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon his fortune, and I went back to pa. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the leaning back in his chair. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "In heaven's name, what for?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, the coronet at all injured?" decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." status with the IRS. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "And for present expenses?" follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from mystery!" education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. think, you have already met." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they wall." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "A confidential servant?" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "But I have heard all that you have heard." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "'Certainly not. But why?' crackling voice. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to What do you deduce from it?" profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge morning." about. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "I came to find a friend." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "And Miss Sutherland?" "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the our word." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." second." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your the Assizes." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most asked with his eyes open. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way someone who had been in Australia." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one without success. At last the little money which I had saved began other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "It is to him that this trophy belongs." over with notes and figures. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the ordinary clothes on?" "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his one of them." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This the bed, and you in that chair." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "He is dead," cried several voices. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he both be extremely obliged.' "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "What of the rat, then?" say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of to that open window." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of call it cruel." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "And from a noble client?" gigantic client. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. remarked. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "And what did you learn from him?" his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "I fear not." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" Does that suggest anything?" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of purpose equally well?" call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose the address that was given us in the advertisement. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Certainly." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience."