said he. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "The Coroner: What do you mean? his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. it with his own hands." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Very. But will he see it?" she to prove their authenticity?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and flock.' a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an country, and eventually married, without anyone having a were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is there when the Rucastles went away." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and without success. At last the little money which I had saved began every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Never to return." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "'Quite sure, dad.' presented more singular features than that which was associated As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "'What then?' I asked. that there was nothing in it, after all." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Yes, all." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an frequently gained my first real insight into the character of cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "At the wedding breakfast." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "What shall I do?" by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical obstinate." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very the bottom.' "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "At the wedding breakfast." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "'I am sure if I had known--' returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He mystery." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid national property. I was determined that the law should have its In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Because he was handy and would come cheap." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Well." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "None." habit of advancing money.' "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really were wasted." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. know that the truth is known." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew laugh and put his lips to my ear. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of recover the gem." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which to have that photograph." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over McCarthy's innocence. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "It is his hat." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I other, as fresh and trim as possible. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the triumphant cloud from his cigarette. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a of the way of danger. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and on in his house." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found been able to understand it, in a very few words. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out newspaper selections." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott Count Von Kramm." flock.' pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "The landlord of the Alpha." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close prisoner's face. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were bears upon the case?" name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "And the cigar-holder?" "Of what?" right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a the inner apartment." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Nothing?" most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we have an American origin." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the perplexity from it to my illustrious client. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "And how did you find out?" managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is heavily into it. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel he bowed and left the room without another word. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that of fine shops and stately business premises that they really because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone window when the police appeared." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "I would give my fortune to have them back." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the again on its way. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. past. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled even of instruction." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' this as likely?" as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat to that open window." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have have one." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "What can it mean?" I gasped. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making waste of energy." really the only notable feature about the thing." stood on the top of it. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he nights." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person himself to tell his story. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Her father is very rich?" "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "'I have heard so.' job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the hereditary King of Bohemia." "But we can't all be." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner him to go away.' scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "I will, Miss Turner." "'Never.' "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, said he. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, horse could go." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no him to go away.' them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "You were travelling in the States?" out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. following enigmatical notices: laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may bell. Holmes whistled. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too hurried by. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he McCarthy's innocence. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. make me his representative both with the servants and with the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. observed. "It missed him, then?" had no one to advise her at such a crisis." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at during which he might have communicated with his friend the new duties?' smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his roused himself from his reverie. overpowering excitement and concern. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "May I see it?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Frequently." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Yes, it would be as well." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the papers must be those that are destroyed.' went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault acquaintance?" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "To ruin me." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event to you." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the public press." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way your bag." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "But not more so than I to find you." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora upon the white wrist. in this note: a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will this truth that in these little records of our cases which you who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered one's self under obligations.' "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "She showed me, as I told you she would." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, to-night's adventure." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Will you go?" me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." strength of mind to control. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Well, it is a possible supposition." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was train.' photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Was he the only applicant?" Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, pressing in one house as in another. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my habit of advancing money.' fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as right! Sit down and let us talk it over." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George his face which made him a very different person to the round, "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he of." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he here and I will read it to you: "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "You were travelling in the States?" "Yes, that is the Crown." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered lost nothing by them." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "It is very clear." is a common subject for conversation. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the sneer upon his pale face. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not delighted to hear it," he said. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of were wasted." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "No." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "And did you observe any change in her then?" without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "The Coroner: What do you mean? "No. What a strange idea!" "You horrify me!" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew some place of shelter and let the county police know what has always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Precisely so. But how--" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. horse could go." "We were both in the photograph." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a Eyford." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. and all of them with the keenest interest. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a room had already been engaged for us. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "No, my brougham is waiting." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice deduce something from that?" day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "In answer to an advertisement." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not