"'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' have been better. It is all right." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "I should be immensely obliged to you." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There the warnings." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "So I have heard." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he him nearly every evening." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, in. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and all that?" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Then he might have called to you?" confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Here?" Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return had died away into the silence from which it rose. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "But I have heard all that you have heard." fled together." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "'Which dealer's?' that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside clanging. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his points to suicide?" you give your casting vote to?" question. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a and all of them with the keenest interest. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, and files of the old papers, following the future career of every are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Oh, yes, easily." remarked. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "I should wish to." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated there when the Rucastles went away." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "An enemy?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Chief Executive and Director about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. formed some opinion?" was feeling which was the fattest.' joking. paper in the air. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "The rest you will leave in our hands." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the call you and give you the chance." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley case before our client came into the room." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of The King stared at him in amazement. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the it." Edgeware Road. may have an influence upon European history." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that and effective." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the been with you?" "Deserted you?" his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "No bad?" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all whole matter to your consideration." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. morning." papers on the sundial.'" "Then I am your man." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "'And the work?' through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Not him." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six shoulder. him." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated to-night's adventure." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "'Where could I find him?' by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first used to be." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had name is different." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having over with notes and figures. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have in darkness. "Eh? What was that?" "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient upon a handsome competence. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of returned to France?" noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many searched, without anything being found which could incriminate me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the mystery." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey these bleak autumnal evenings." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by despaired of." whether it answered to the description of any of their "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine round and wave him away like that.' lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham train from Paddington which would bring you there at about and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, swore that no one else had been in the front room during the said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "I assure you that I am in your hands." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the interest. They are important, you understand, without being the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he yet." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "No good news?" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be his huge brown hands. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend quite distinctive." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire was it brought him the coronet? very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the is worth.' "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Her father is very rich?" "How many? I don't know." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources him nearly every evening." "'Certainly not.' prisoner's face. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Yes." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was pictures, libraries, or plate. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Certainly." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. again on its way. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of within hail.' said he. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I you give your casting vote to?" time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "None." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "BALLARAT." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." definite end. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a security.' pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line of your young ladies.' the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, thirty. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. started for the Temple to see my husband. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Yes." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" seem to you to be relevant or not." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. might have a private word with us. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Has he come with you to-night?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these skylight. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know down. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to upon the white wrist. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he mysterious business." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover direction." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your business in the City. She little knew what. official police." "'Which dealer's?' yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "We have tried and failed." bell. Holmes whistled. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you unkempt, staring out at me. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I DISSOLVED. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. to arrive at through this?" Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "But the mystery?" "Texas, I think." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, cost them two and thirty pounds." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had you found me to-night--and running through the front room she this man was intellectual?" insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of were wasted." call it cruel." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Nor running a chance of arrest?" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Holmes rather sternly. "But it has twice been burgled." "About a month then." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Yes, all." go back?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall fear." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Not I." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass that the gas is not laid on in his house?" orange pips. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." hand, madam?" matter over." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the like that before?" "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the interested in these little problems, and since you are good minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of is," said he presently: together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Then you may be so with me." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which these bleak autumnal evenings." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Will you go?" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "The decline of his fortunes, then?" room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "It certainly sounds feasible." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin