would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, meant." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "He disappeared so suddenly." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite allusion to a rat. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought to you." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our him. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "It missed him, then?" did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "I fear not." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at eavesdroppers?' he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Here?" "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. away into the river." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination should be so warm over such a trifle." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the I shall continue with my miserable story. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is most interesting one." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and once more. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Yes." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Then, how do you know?" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something said I. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "You saw the ventilator, too?" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, will not take me long to tell. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "And the cigar-holder?" "And now?" I asked. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, desk. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "'Very good.' cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Was your sister dressed?" "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "The gentleman I describe." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "How about poison?" registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Well?" occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "'And what are they worth?' I asked. III. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "It is possible." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the late." "An accident, I presume?" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land you for a few hours?" why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." head. So long, then!" was a loud and authoritative tap. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the be.' opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding along the entire front of the house, with three long windows as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "So it appears." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling Farm upon the left." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "My dear Holmes!" It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Then I shall certainly come." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Have you her photograph?" the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their opened the door, and slipped through. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Yes, the wine-cellar." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Eyford." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "And I to find an enemy." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the you." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so security.' and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my became a certainty. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was bled considerably." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Perhaps we may make them less so." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Well." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is morning." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "'I am sure if I had known--' "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this I held the little printed slip to the light. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Dr. Becher's." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Entirely." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It little trying to do so much typewriting?" that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "And from a noble client?" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to the salesman. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. His name is Francis Prosper." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am this man was intellectual?" "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Yes." me what he had done with the three missing stones. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the if she died from some sudden fright." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase to arrive at through this?" august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "My dear Holmes!" course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" the iron safe, which he closed upon it. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Why did you pick him?" little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Dark enough and sinister enough." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to guilty one." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" imbecility!" he cried. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened fuss that is made over them." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on were new raised from a basin. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. a very grave face. believe that I should never have any practice at all. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "'Very good.' time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of in the port of London." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "But how will you look?" family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. room had already been engaged for us. "'And what salary do you ask?' "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have McCarthy's innocence. "You know me, then?" "'Quite sure, dad.' receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy wanted for ourselves." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Which surely he restored to their owner?" pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm even so self-evident a thing as that." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "No good news?" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Not I." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Pray do so." I approached. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for brought there to personate someone, and the real person is isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Not in the least." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO and prosperity to your house. Good-night." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the hardly wander." "Then you may be so with me." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Yes." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to this unhappy family?" half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that who was a member of your goose club." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently weary and pale-looking. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of as noiselessly as she had come. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "He slept on the premises." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her chance." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because newspaper selections." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with once more. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, overpowering excitement and concern. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire."