"'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. that you saw all that I did." chance at all." him and tried to hold him back. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are into the bag, and made for the door. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Your French gold?" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him you." had a long day." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "You have the photograph?" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Nor running a chance of arrest?" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "'What then?' I asked. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "In answer to an advertisement." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic chair. The summons was a brief and urgent one. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped the coronet in his hands?" "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Upon what point?" horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder see a sister of mine apply for." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "That is not always so easy." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "He said that you could solve anything." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "On Monday." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "I will try. What is it?" Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "'Is purely nominal.' no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "A confidential servant?" running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Holmes, the busybody!" stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Yes." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger to go into your room and bar your shutters?" horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "My dear Holmes!" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," congenial hunt. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a lips." dear old homesteads?" the coronet at all injured?" she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his presented which may be striking and bizarre without being young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, you." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that British peeress.'" to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he the child." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. forebodings. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "I answered that I had not. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed o'clock is it?" believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to lamp. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "He slept on the premises." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution shall not find me ungrateful." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin quick march!" gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." key of the affair now." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us second." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now touch that coronet?' Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" served to weaken the effect. "It is possible." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "The vanishing of the lady." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Again Holmes raved in the air. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found the roots. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Indeed! Whose, then?" freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do your Highness to the police-station?" "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, in his power. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of you give your casting vote to?" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs me where it went to?" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been results." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up that you saw all that I did." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is could go. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "You forget that I know nothing about it." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Certainly." peculiar to him. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. strong reason behind." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal in the dead of the night?' life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "And help." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "No, distinctly professional." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see writing, and yet I know it well." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, something of him before." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big had this final quarrel? education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Was she in good spirits?" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying him!" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his careless servant girl?" put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Well, some hundreds of times." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your his face. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "What office?" saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "You horrify me." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "How can you tell that?" "I cannot as yet see any connection." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Witness: Nothing definite. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "It is very kind of you." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to unclasping of his long thin hands. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." cup of tea. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "If so, much may have happened between." "Yes." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "'Why that?' I asks. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "'A dozen yards or so.' St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "A thing like a cleaver," said he. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "He disappeared so suddenly." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "'Ten to two.' round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, The summons was a brief and urgent one. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and IS into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Where to?" dates and names. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Then I do not see the point." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and the loss of it. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent fattened it expressly for you.' "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an quickly through a disagreeable task. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but The note was undated, and without either signature or address. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "No." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal clang of the bell. did not hear it also.' sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Here?" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I light and attacked it." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Do you go out much in society?" and looked back. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been was once confined in the cab my mission was practically right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you always that they were such commands as a lady might with the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Has he come with you to-night?" "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be to tackle the facts." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could asked. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet wanted for ourselves." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "What, then?" Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like acquaintance?" wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" back into the street. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. your most interesting statement." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "I will get her to show me." and laid it on the table. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and the coronet in his hand?" over part of the map. "What do you read?" a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "How did you trace it, then?" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical away to you." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he