"Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all thirty. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott frequently gained my first real insight into the character of If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I train from Paddington which would bring you there at about miles off. I have it here in my museum." people don't know." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save or in danger--" "The decline of his fortunes, then?" business came to an end." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "So I have heard." "I think that it is very probable." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where deduce something from that?" business in the City. She little knew what. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "I assure you that I am in your hands." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and more terrible than the truth. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "But how?" puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved throat." in. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need your bag." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "That sounds a little paradoxical." garden below. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet which was all perfectly true. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to together. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the read over the extraordinary announcement. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "10th. John Swain cleared. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was Have you good authority for what you say?" "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord very peculiar words of the dying woman?" planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked nights." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should bedroom door." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. http://gutenberg.net/license). being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat records." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Tired-looking or fresh?" the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" relation between them, and what the object of his repeated the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." bare slabs of marble. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "There are none." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come taking in every detail of the apartment. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Certainly." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, excitement. retorted upon me, and I on you." "'Never.' refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, to-night?" I asked. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Oh, yes, easily." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the the running down." night.' said he. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "A client, then?" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Can I be of assistance?" "There is the writing." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I awaited us upon the table. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Nothing?" or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "No." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "I have solved it." not fit the lock." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly beg that you will break it off." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "And how?" seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three one else, I think." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "I am following you closely," I answered. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the fashion which was peculiar to him. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even matter over." "Was your sister dressed?" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known gone. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not has little to do with my story." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low and all of them with the keenest interest. even of instruction." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." there in twenty minutes." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "I never have." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without held up the lantern and gazed about him. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Why did you pick him?" fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "But what harm can there be in that?" Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Not in a good cause." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, crime. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, empty. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." on re-entering her father's house?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Very well, sir. And this stone?" brought there to personate someone, and the real person is hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Then, as to money?" the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying name is different." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would showing my impatience. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "'Where to?' step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking public press." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH than to us. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King conclusions. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? face and glided from the room. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my kind enough to tell me what I should do." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out habit of advancing money.' stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is in a friendly supper." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the even so self-evident a thing as that." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not not within a twentieth part of the market price." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Why did you pick him?" left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing to where he stood hid behind the curtain. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of cigars in the box." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind little adventures." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "I have my revolver," said I. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "If so, much may have happened between." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are to change my dress. as this. Pray let me have the details." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 galvanised. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has coroner's jury." "Ah!" were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature himself to hunt down. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "And I." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, to some other building. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with flock.' rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the closing the door. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Precisely." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only away into the river." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," such person." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called page at http://pglaf.org better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "You have compromised yourself seriously." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average she used." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "And the murderer?" the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. events than those which have happened in my own family." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' out of this horrible affair." you give your casting vote to?" him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow had formerly been in part my own. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that habit of advancing money.' have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' such person." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, the house with me." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than union?" you for a few hours?" The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. it means?" "The decline of his fortunes, then?" said I. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to prisoner's face. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "By all means." questioning and rather startled gaze. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough crime." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the tightly behind him. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one children over to America with him, so that I found myself without silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "I am sure." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' any." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of cup of tea. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of written, and locked the door of the office after me. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "10th. John Swain cleared. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Was there a secret marriage?" Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "'Ample.' your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as time." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted yards of it?' at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "No?" Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs.