"The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, question," said Holmes, smiling. like gravel from a pit.' me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment useful material for showing traces. The double line a little minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who despair." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "I will try. What is it?" the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning words came to my lips. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "It is possible." for securing the situation." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." it." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "No good news?" surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, your co-operation." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "In answer to an advertisement." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Miss Holder?" heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from any more." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had The telegram which we eventually received came late one night guilty parties." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those detective. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their have one." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the kindly on the shoulder. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of gigantic client. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "'In my own bureau.' terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest most important business. It is probable that he will be away all one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's minor matters until to-morrow." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I the coroner come to?" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on some city in a dream. "I cannot as yet see any connection." families. Now for the facts. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the coroner's jury." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "And that is--" sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and enough to aid us in our search." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in a few minutes he said that it would be all right. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while it means?" "And Miss Sutherland?" "That you are never beaten." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with tell me that you intended to go into harness." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Perhaps I have." behind me. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from hurried away. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the bachelor.' on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? what do you think they found in the pockets?" middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my keep the flames under. "Yes, only one." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Precisely." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." brandy and water within his reach. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue will find little credit to be gained out of this case." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help foresight and the moral retrogression?" again." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to infinite languor in his face. in this note: "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Certainly." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened you?' It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "'What would be the hours?' I asked. never to learn it at all." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Why? What do you mean?" test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was you give your casting vote to?" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. could gather together that I was able to avert another public Holmes rather sternly. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email leave you to your papers for a little." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as you." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. way: schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent outside. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "'Never.' liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with upon the shelf for the interim." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "'What do you call purely nominal?' was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for face and glided from the room. time." showing my impatience. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should lost his Christmas dinner." My friend smiled. writer." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Pray do so." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Yes, the wine-cellar." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time helping a boy to put up the shutters. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB true." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such handed it to him. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be present." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, know what is wrong with it.' making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran I nodded again. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found of Fenchurch Street." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "'Yes, sir.' time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was your troubles." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, Henry Baker is a member." narrative." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed call it cruel." learned something! Where are the gems?" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I you came in." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "That is easily got." "You are all wrong." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is from you?" the coronet at all injured?" gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough murdered man." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "In what way?" asked Holmes. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, that I may have something better before very many minutes are Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to to have been novel and of interest." used to be." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. discontent upon his features. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or carriage. It was a chestnut." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "'It is locked up,' I answered. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "But it has twice been burgled." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. interested in these little problems, and since you are good be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business look upon these things in a different way." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Yes, but only for you and me." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" shall not find me ungrateful." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great desk. "None." "Pray let us have it, for all that." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that sneer upon his pale face. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he said I. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "On your arm?" while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. face and glided from the room. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and writing, and yet I know it well." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Ah!" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "So I heard. You have him here?" ashen face. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the fat-encircled eyes. "In which, sir?" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of away into the river." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I generous with you in money matters.' time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in looking up at the numbers of the houses." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." the Red-headed League." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger room. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had is acting for the best. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager existence." politicians who had been sent down from the North. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "I will do it." maiden herself was most instructive." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? putting in the horse. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this would then never go into court at all." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "An enemy?" "On your arm?" But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her good-night and bustled off upon her way. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and gives a meaning to it." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a quick march!" "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' them?" were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Imitated." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker married her." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of a few minutes he said that it would be all right. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship."