friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible bonnet, and went out." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "There is the writing." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the just called myself is not exactly my own." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, straightened it out again. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty and all of them with the keenest interest. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt presume?" real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. cigars in their mouths. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "Witness: I must still refuse. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my read over the extraordinary announcement. I think that I could be of assistance to you." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step to take care of herself." golden eyeglasses. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some and laid it on the table. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "The doctor?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the putting in the horse. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, The King stared at him in amazement. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice note?" pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to the inner apartment." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close asked with his eyes open. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly friends, not even his own brother. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the had formerly been in part my own. breakfast?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Dirty?" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we again, where I was soon asleep. the running down." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "This concluded the examination of the witness." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. me what he had done with the three missing stones. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "No." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not miles off. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Game for a morning drive?" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "'I have already given you my word.' from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "He said too much." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that fluttered off among the others. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I this as likely?" overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to the child." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. and inquire as to the address." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, Sutherland?" already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. depend upon your compliance." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself thirty. suddenly upon us." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, leaning back in his chair. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' three fields round his house, and there he would take his learned something! Where are the gems?" The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "It is half-past ten now." his wife has ceased to love him." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "It is possible." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Your sister is dead, then?" Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "'Stolen!' he cried. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Seven!" I answered. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "There is the writing." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Very truly yours, perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. awkward doing business with an alias." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is look dissatisfied." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can the inquest, and which are worth considering." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Where is it, then?" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "How on earth--" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "But how?" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful companion. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and vault. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "I warn you that they are very incomplete." residence of the great financier. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "And why?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a client, rising. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "VIOLET HUNTER." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. shall not find me ungrateful." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we of the one which your family is now devouring." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves said he. "And what did you see?" clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Did your wife hear all this?" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, criminal. We have already had experience of such." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "'Certainly not.' "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Pray let us have it, for all that." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name ready to-morrow?' lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a them?" overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders a suggestive one." following enigmatical notices: roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "I shall be delighted." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make silent! Oh, he will be silent!' immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. said he at last. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Where to?" of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate their singular warning or token before them when starting upon evidence," I remarked. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and what is your own theory as to what took place?" were unconscious?" "What is it, then--a fire?" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the do." quickly through a disagreeable task. "At what time?" us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' relief. bird I ate is country bred." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I horse could go." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. later, upon the night of May 2nd." "One of his hands." "What then?" Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Where is it, then?" down in his armchair and closing his eyes. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "'Stolen!' he cried. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Ah, but I was recommended to you." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "How can you tell that?" was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "What! Had he lost his wife?" cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," the devil!" "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of foresight and the moral retrogression?" (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Who was the criminal, then?" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "That is possible." too. "No, I had a dozen." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so promised to bring home. and inquire as to the address." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your a monotonous occupation." it were putty." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "At half-wages, in fact." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his awkward doing business with an alias." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may your troubles." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "I shall be delighted." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "From his hat?" "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong absorbing." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "If I can be of use." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself events, Mr. Windibank!" hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "I say that I have solved it." indeed happy." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before one of them." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for McCarthy's innocence. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some to Leatherhead. any little problem which you may submit to me." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his and the whole place is in a blaze." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his you found me to-night--and running through the front room she that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking man. I know him from the photograph." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in strength in the others." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "To ruin me." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was introspective fashion. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall shoulder. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "You think so, too?" she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this From what you have told me I think that it is possible that eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy