them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a DISSOLVED. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this gigantic client. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying in the hope of finding them." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Then I can wait in the next room." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is weigh very heavily upon my conscience." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very the iron safe, which he closed upon it. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, strong and stiff." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "In San Francisco, a year ago." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I shoulder; "he's all right." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." too. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and would apply.' that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! of Mr. Rucastle's." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and a monotonous occupation." noting anything else of interest. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing the south-west, I see." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and you?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the cigars in the box." closely." awaited us upon the table. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as words came to my lips. own family. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation in a very precise fashion." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been to have been novel and of interest." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the the very morning of the wedding." "If so, much may have happened between." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Were they all fastened this morning?" envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her served to weaken the effect. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." passage and a tap at the door. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "I see many objections to any such theory." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Was she in good spirits?" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid him, that man would not have given me such complete information outside. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King whatever might befall. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "'It is locked up,' I answered. three of the beryls in it, was missing. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and wedding?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these carried out of court." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. used to be." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Why, what do you mean?" and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I could go. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it to go into your room and bar your shutters?" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He indeed which he could not unravel. again, where I was soon asleep. "Yesterday." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "It is to him that this trophy belongs." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the would apply.' against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, man. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "'Yes, sir.' closing the door. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "I should wish to." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my his knees, staring into the fire. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "I shall be delighted." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "'Is 4 pounds a week.' near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of better in every way that they should make their position a little "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Yes?" their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "A call for help, you thought?" of." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. too. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "I have a cab outside." me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "I have seen the police." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob was a loud and authoritative tap. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' details should find their way into the papers. Inspector served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the when you have done it." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other residence of the great financier. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate crowd. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Could he throw no light?" said he, "my real name is James Ryder." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few laugh and put his lips to my ear. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story do.' Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. and put his glass in his pocket. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a take the flies, but not before." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "What can you not understand?" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. some city in a dream. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own arms and began to sob in a high treble key. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "On the contrary, this is the right side." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I who was a member of your goose club." "Was he the only applicant?" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net lost his Christmas dinner." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when without success. At last the little money which I had saved began should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at mysterious end." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "But how?" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "'It is locked up,' I answered. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress me. You must get home instantly and act." "What! You do not mean bodies?" "And what did you learn from him?" away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "The murder was done with it." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands you came in." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had the window, rose as we entered. woman." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for matters immensely." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." signal between you and your father? tell him that I know him to be innocent." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every with you?" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of seven miles from Eyford Station.' done what I asked you, Jones?" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper your sleep?' thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be affair. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. them?" so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. writing, and yet I know it well." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what indeed happy." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my province." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. know all about it," he snarled. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were amused." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Upon what point?" Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "But the mystery?" you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Did you become engaged then?" permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations least a fellow-countryman. of campaign. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did drove away. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of over here." shoulder. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. not, dad?" she asked. more solid." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while me where it went to?" through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I conceal it?" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Certainly." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make the very morning of the wedding." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged all-comprehensive glances. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "You did not overhear what they said?" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as I leave." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "You have carte blanche." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. was feeling which was the fattest.' a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "'Very good.' down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the interest. They are important, you understand, without being already referred to. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very any more." have been better. It is all right." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. than was visible to me." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Then he might have called to you?" overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Entirely." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "What, then, did Peterson do?" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me and glanced through. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand strength of mind to control. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, my former friend and companion. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or conceal it?" but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk pictures, libraries, or plate. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid late!' the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, one's self under obligations.' Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our carriage. It was a chestnut." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! anything to do with the matter?" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of woven round him. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "I came to find a friend." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg you?" which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept once more for Briony Lodge. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some yourselves in at night?" had died away into the silence from which it rose. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive look dissatisfied." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay."