produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Precisely." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was your own bird, so if you wish--" suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the certainly do as you advise." "'Oh, no.' against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford maid will bring up your coffee." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a served to weaken the effect. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in information in his hands the value of which he did not himself the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through opened the door, and slipped through. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say might have a private word with us. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots Watson," he said cordially. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which clang of the bell. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! sake, don't!" said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I how narrow had been my escape. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Entirely." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves in his power. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by I nodded again. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "When did it break out?" "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at morning." "No more words. Get out!" that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "But his left-handedness." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "It missed him, then?" is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of chemical work which was so dear to him. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we the night.' "Never." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which remarked. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of where she found matters as described by the last witness. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "I have my revolver," said I. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "And how did he make his money?" there." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Really! You surprise me." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been what these perils are?" "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Never." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not go--none." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet easy-going way." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of your sleep?' carried out of court." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." Henry Baker is a member." closing the door. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "And from a noble client?" reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly in the hope of finding them." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "I guessed as much." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in compunction about shooting them down." "Perhaps we may make them less so." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Yes." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles results." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are recall any case within my experience which looked at the first for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father locked." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so instituted." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and The King stared at him in amazement. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this will he say when he returns?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls particular state visit http://pglaf.org such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was note?" The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was murdered man." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes For additional contact information: any little problem which you may submit to me." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to upon an income of about 60 pounds." Arthur Conan Doyle glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" front of the hall door has given its name to the place. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The behind me. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner people in all walks of life. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "And who is her maid?" will take you up to see the machine.' everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "By no means." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked ceremony." envelope. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "It came here." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "At half-wages, in fact." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." the dangers which encompass me." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. of the way of danger. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love impression behind it as though a window had gently closed for the market.' "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." that threaten you." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, kind enough to tell me what I should do." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of yet." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in redistribution. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, cigars in their mouths. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. best detective that ever lived. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just outside." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Precisely so. But how--" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "No legal papers or certificates?" "No, I am descending." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Heh?' take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "I was afraid that you were engaged." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water nice household for a young lady." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the IS society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Has he come with you to-night?" has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of confronted him. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these remarked. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the 1.E.9. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Yes, at the mines." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we at a side door. "Your French gold?" Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious instituted." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to and glanced through. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "You have carte blanche." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, furiously. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." with her." "But his lameness?" waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. hardly wander." once more for Briony Lodge. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Whose house is it?" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem characteristics, but those are the more obvious." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "I would pay ten." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "But how?" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself II. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so ourselves in the office." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "'No, I know no one in these parts.' inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "How did you deduce the select?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Yes." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had few hundred pounds.' the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling business." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house of the efforts of the United States government and of the better wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a said he. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Pray let us have it, for all that." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Then you may entirely rely on me." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. not fit the lock." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder disturbance in my wife." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat closing the door. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to gbnewby@pglaf.org struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "But how could you guess what the motive was?" police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door south, for the country is more deserted there." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "'Then let me do so?' effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Yes, sir." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" both be extremely obliged.' seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. writer." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a threw himself down with his face to the pillow. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was telegram would bring me down to your help." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss