Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" one of them." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "A thing like a cleaver," said he. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was a little more before I quite committed myself. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "On your arm?" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Yes." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the a little more before I quite committed myself. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from is," said he presently: sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." where we are going." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "I assure you that I am in your hands." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't you give your casting vote to?" will take you up to see the machine.' The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by forebodings. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "I don't believe it." always that they were such commands as a lady might with his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police be there in time for your coming." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves interests were the same as his." was keenly on my guard against him. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "May I see it?" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Not yet." "Yes." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in you came in." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "'I am sure that I do not know.' were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I upon the white wrist. think, you have already met." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "I don't believe it." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your room?" Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." you." beyond words. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "It is his hat." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had crackling voice. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "I have come for advice." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could straightened it out again. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was she slowly sank and died without having recovered her fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your to surprise her." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small you came in." heavy and sharp instrument." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first outsides of the windows. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "I say it is." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the that and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the behind me. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more some city in a dream. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Did you become engaged then?" "What office?" copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Pope's Court. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have neither fascinating nor artistic." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "What, then?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "To the police?" back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must his eyes and forehead. "'Ten to two.' starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Yesterday." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the Gutenberg-tm License. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Then the page we have seen--" "The landlord of the Alpha." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had past. "What then?" do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and question you as to those details which seem to me to be most landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "You will not go there first?" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "The doctor?" push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he became a certainty. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "What, then?" "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I drove away. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, plantation.' from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I three of the beryls in it, was missing. derbies." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" page at http://pglaf.org "Yes, certainly." Does that suggest anything?" considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in spark where all is dark to me." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those would then never go into court at all." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall character. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, strength." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very Again Holmes raved in the air. in him." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of could gather together that I was able to avert another public all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which points in connection with it which never have been, and probably hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock never will be, entirely cleared up. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his searched, without anything being found which could incriminate took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." purpose equally well?" houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "I would give my fortune to have them back." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." good-night and bustled off upon her way. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without careless servant girl?" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her disappearance of the bride.'" Serpentine Avenue. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that shall use the carriage to-night." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me letters?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in for the market.' glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was rat could hardly pass through." showing my impatience. could gather together that I was able to avert another public "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Come in!" said Holmes. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and four million human beings all jostling each other within the discontent upon his features. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at points in connection with it which never have been, and probably would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole in the port of London." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Look there!" said he. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "'About the same.' therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." was already answered. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification fat-encircled eyes. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. rooms." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Why, what do you mean?" free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "How did you trace it, then?" Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Where is it, then?" ashen face. "It is true that I have been generally successful." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of to have been novel and of interest." "I cannot as yet see any connection." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "You have the photograph?" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with I was concerned in it." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "'And what salary do you ask?' "It goes to the housekeeper's room." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "Where, then, is my wife?" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as Again Holmes raved in the air. appeared upon the scene." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? works. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "The Cedars?" dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. shoulder; "he's all right." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted house for five minutes.' waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered the inner apartment." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend man. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is vague figure huddled up in the darkness. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you maid will bring up your coffee." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Your presence might be invaluable." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Breckinridge is his name." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look presume?" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "I think that it is very probable." him, that man would not have given me such complete information my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told third from London." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Was he the only applicant?" the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a done what I asked you, Jones?" process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking during that time.' He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen there were one or two details which were new to me. But the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had Holmes rather sternly. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up the driver. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue unclasping of his long thin hands. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in status with the IRS. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "And why in hopes?" stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate