kindly on the shoulder. new duties?' retorted upon me, and I on you." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. the stable lane now." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Ten will be early enough." "I cannot say that I have." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from envelope. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Perhaps we may make them less so." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." of the one which your family is now devouring." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was http://gutenberg.net/license). that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Yes, from Horsham." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Of what?" This is what he says: very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two From what you have told me I think that it is possible that Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Entirely." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into most important business. It is probable that he will be away all down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "No more words. Get out!" clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "I cannot tell." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out occupations.' I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his and glanced through. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have carriage. It was a chestnut." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "'I have heard so.' heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of prepare for the new role I have to play." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, a very grave face. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Perhaps I have." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and do.' again, where I was soon asleep. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at directors have had misgivings upon the subject." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had indiscretion." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had that he has suffered." whole matter to your consideration." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Yes, there are nearly always some there." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good plantation.' "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" careless servant girl?" passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the this unhappy family?" wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. the date of his supposed suicide." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, locked. I leave." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me only touch the interest." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the will not take me long to tell. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "No, but the enclosure is." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." assist you in forming an opinion." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and Holmes' face clouded over. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Yes, that is the Crown." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "You have a clue?" that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me look upon these things in a different way." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, had a long day." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "'And the work?' "That you are never beaten." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we a very grave face. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so together. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "My dear Holmes!" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "At half-wages, in fact." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Pray do so." asked. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's cause to be." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. closing the door. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving late!' laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Has he come with you to-night?" inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable province." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you voice, changing her seat as requested. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "I should be immensely obliged to you." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Countess of Morcar's?" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me my friend's incisive reasoning. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your again on its way. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of The note was undated, and without either signature or address. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather chair. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for in a very precise fashion." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat during which he might have communicated with his friend the the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Never to return." John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Well?" slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no highroad, where all traces were lost. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Does that suggest anything?" "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. chance at all." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! matters immensely." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached written. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Witness: I must still refuse. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "I cannot tell." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, door?" the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "No, but the enclosure is." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of details." again on its way. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "Why? What do you mean?" you." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "'Ten to two.' sparkled upon his finger. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt morning." presented more singular features than that which was associated impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted my secret was safe in his possession. "And the murderer?" it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this perplexity from it to my illustrious client. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "The vanishing of the lady." one of the states of the Union." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." emerged. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four village inn over there?" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." becomes even more simple." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not behind me. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "I will try. What is it?" directly by questioning you." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter things are very often connected not with the larger but with the what do you think they found in the pockets?" laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, kindly on the shoulder. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of unprecedented a position." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round is acting for the best. meanly of me." "No. What a strange idea!" backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" the matter?" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and disappearance of these gems?" in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, compunction about shooting them down." whole matter to your consideration." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, once more for Briony Lodge. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Yes. He waved his hands." "You have but to name it." "'In my own bureau.' his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress look dissatisfied." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the directly by questioning you." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Why? What do you mean?" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, someone who had been in Australia." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind did not hear it also.' suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Well, but China?" not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his open." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Clair, of Lee." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Not I." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "You don't mind breaking the law?" we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "And I to find an enemy." bare slabs of marble. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." been shamefully used." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking was a perfect sample of the class. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." a monotonous occupation." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have started for the Temple to see my husband. obstinate." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. said I. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back to where he stood hid behind the curtain. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been sacrificing it in this offhand fashion.