there has been an enclosure here!" 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "My Mary? Impossible!" his face. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and open." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he other, as fresh and trim as possible. was already answered. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "It is true that I have been generally successful." gbnewby@pglaf.org time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "I promise," said Holmes. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would do you make of it all?" "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Precisely." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Did your wife hear all this?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "It is very clear." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, minor matters until to-morrow." "You saw the ventilator, too?" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, will be renamed. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that off." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "'Yes, it was gone.' his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence place, I think that there is good ground to think that the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the records." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' following enigmatical notices: the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there even so self-evident a thing as that." in his power. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is straighten it?" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate front of me. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "'Never.' made his money." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the infinite languor in his face. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Murdered?" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Yes." man. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable ventilator." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the hour." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To than to us. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of should be taken.' But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Come in!" said Holmes. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the presume?" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal too. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with the little opening for the ventilator is." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and train.' maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready it." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "I shall most certainly do so." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "I should wish to." bearing upon the case." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under was lame." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction my friend's incisive reasoning. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the me. You must get home instantly and act." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "No, I think that I'll take it." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "His face fell immediately. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is of the vacancies.' of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a about. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the and that he would see to anything that turned up. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "But not more so than I to find you." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife subject to the trademark license, especially commercial severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and excitement. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as see me here to avoid scandal." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies 1.E.9. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "To an end?" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little and your relations to her." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an had a long day." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some brain must have something in it." "'And the work?' shall use the carriage to-night." the stones. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "You have but to name it." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "And now?" He raised his hand. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the within hail.' gone before you can get him to hospital." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt open." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us husband's writing, madam." that "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "She walked into the breakfast-room." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am to miss it." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over before the coroner and the police-court." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I him, that man would not have given me such complete information swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which fat-encircled eyes. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "And what did you see?" terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "But we can't all be." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still and the church but not where the lady lived." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more the dangers which encompass me." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "I think that I had better go, Holmes." unprofitable." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "But it has twice been burgled." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me of receipt of the work. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right down in his armchair and closing his eyes. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which during which he might have communicated with his friend the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Very. But will he see it?" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "They are typewritten," I remarked. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, name is different." of the one which your family is now devouring." so.' other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. the matter." and the whole place is in a blaze." the bed, and you in that chair." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. one's self under obligations.' can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "What!" he roared. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they coroner's jury." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not bed dies. Does not that strike you?" o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "I have seen the police." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's his wife has ceased to love him." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do call for it in person on Monday morning.' Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from gone before you can get him to hospital." of it with the greatest attention. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Your presence might be invaluable." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you straighten it?" hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the felt the room to be a little close.' return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "No?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and are, I think, all that we need." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "How did that help you?" that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my bedroom door." about. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Yes, sir." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late The telegram which we eventually received came late one night I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Her father is very rich?" were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of gigantic client. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "To ruin me." "The vanishing of the lady." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "When did she vanish, then?" he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Then, how do you know?" always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Yes, from Horsham." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "I promise," said Holmes. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Always." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary it right.' my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all right! Sit down and let us talk it over." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in this poor creature." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "By no means." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did mystery!" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "It was an hour's good drive." that you saw all that I did." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "What then?" retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman that threaten you." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to for and were ordered to this address. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "I would give my fortune to have them back." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards comes from the middle window." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom very old mansion. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the grasp, he hurried from the room. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my colour had been driven from his face. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the main points of my analysis." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. gigantic client. sneer upon his pale face. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made lids now and glanced across at his visitor. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from a good hundred miles off by now." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Come in!" said Holmes. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I man. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when Arthur Conan Doyle snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding matters immensely." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "That also I could fathom." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "I promise," said Holmes. fattened it expressly for you.' disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with way: "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and shoulder; "he's all right." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The newspaper selections." guilty parties." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that visitors." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid where she found matters as described by the last witness. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have means taking possession of that which another person has a prior which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the