indiscretion." happened." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." me what he had done with the three missing stones. secret." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Yes, he did." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "I am still in the dark." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "'As governess?' however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "No legal papers or certificates?" Holmes. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "What do you make of that, Watson?" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." your own bird, so if you wish--" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should lumber-room." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them anything to do with the matter?" fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, see a sister of mine apply for." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Certainly, madam." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum that before taking the final step I should like to submit the say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Come in!" said he. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire quickly through a disagreeable task. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "An accident, I presume?" saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you with you alone." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "And why?" the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "I have my revolver," said I. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. not personally threatened." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in better in every way that they should make their position a little "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "None. Neville wrote those words." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very father's place of business?" "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a during that time.' that I may have something better before very many minutes are wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you these bleak autumnal evenings." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray washing it down with a long draught of water. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him sneer upon his pale face. quickly through a disagreeable task. morning." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the in the port of London." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a locked. more solid." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My was keenly on my guard against him. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Then I shall certainly come." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul politicians who had been sent down from the North. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his forbidden door. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. The King stared at him in amazement. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "And now?" I asked. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of Gutenberg-tm License. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I of this gang." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three when your master had gone out." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Really! You surprise me." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, morning." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "I am sure." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed or in danger--" "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you into the bag, and made for the door. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark she slowly sank and died without having recovered her after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless definite end. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, legal crime." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "In answer to an advertisement." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the main points of my analysis." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "A call for help, you thought?" little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. and the church but not where the lady lived." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' I leave." must be when I saw the door open.' once more. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that detained." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. you in your example." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "It may not come to that," said Holmes. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "How did you trace it, then?" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. yards of it?' your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through is acting for the best. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "And sit in the dark?" Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it the very morning of the wedding." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the face and glided from the room. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "It is no ordinary one." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both my little problems." must compliment you." were unconscious?" "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "On Monday." of them has the shutters up.' "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of Where does the thing come from?' "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "No." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "'Why that?' I asks. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be chill to my heart. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the you understand?" hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and back alive. "You have but to name it." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about side. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "We have tried and failed." standing smiling on the door-step. seem to you to be relevant or not." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Was there a secret marriage?" been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Yes, he did." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "What shall I do?" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Was he the only applicant?" "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Get out!" said he. if she died from some sudden fright." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly knowledge of the world." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must business in the City. She little knew what. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Will you go?" "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "That is not always so easy." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and the very morning of the wedding." Have you good authority for what you say?" towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all with frightened eyes at his accuser. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There begun to whiten, even as mine has." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag young Openshaw's." fire. You quite follow me?" forbidden door. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Precisely so. But how--" "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "He is still with you, I presume?" "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "The decline of his fortunes, then?" fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you yards of it?' his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about remarked. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" breakfast and whispered something to her husband. Eyford at 11:15.' have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to closing the door. your troubles." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our call the police, let the police find what they can.' your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "You are certainly joking, Holmes." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. whether it answered to the description of any of their the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Holmes, the busybody!" labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and you?' room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" developed." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Yes, at the mines." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." I have it here in my museum." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "You have carte blanche." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace chance." "But your client--" "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing details." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "An accident, I presume?" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "I think it very unlikely." be.' His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss with you?" the matter." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies was already answered. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of was a lad." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "On your arm?" broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "ARAT," I read. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "It's nothing of the kind." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "And from a noble client?" bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "'No, I know no one in these parts.' know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "I have seen the police." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Nothing?" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right present." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' galvanised. said he. "My Mary? Impossible!" blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "How did that help you?" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a