the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. his face which made him a very different person to the round, the address that was given us in the advertisement. go--none." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "That is unusual in a young girl." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave was feeling which was the fattest.' it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "ARAT," I read. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "'Why that?' I asks. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage This is what he says: bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower on in his house." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I during which he might have communicated with his friend the investigation." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. friend's singular character. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between him nearly every evening." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Thank you. And your address?" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after fire. You quite follow me?" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "One of his hands." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "I don't believe it." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "Indeed! Whose, then?" and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are mysterious end." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which already referred to. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed The events in question occurred in the early days of my coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the and a shock of very red hair. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." events, Mr. Windibank!" not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "No, thank goodness, she did not." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the rose-bushes. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our how narrow had been my escape. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "That is not always so easy." "What is it, then--a fire?" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Nor running a chance of arrest?" me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Yes." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or guilty one." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had read it out to me." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with enter into my head. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "My dear Holmes!" went to the Alpha were town bred." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. again." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some empty. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Which surely he restored to their owner?" concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where learned something! Where are the gems?" Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon success. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "How are you getting on?" sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "'I am sure that I do not know.' encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining away to you." a suggestive one." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Yes, only one." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would whether it answered to the description of any of their vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady third from London." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are really the only notable feature about the thing." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "What?" him. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "It is true that I have been generally successful." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very galvanised. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in unclasping of his long thin hands. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. to arrive at through this?" retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "That was it, sir." if only as a check to my own memory." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" you came in." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "But she will refuse." of your young ladies.' thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she of them has the shutters up.' halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with Munro.' "At the wedding breakfast." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Certainly, madam." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative became a certainty. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "No good news?" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these questionable one." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether more solid." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to woman who has had her own way to make in the world. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Then what has happened to him?" across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "'It is locked up,' I answered. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very not fit the lock." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Proceed, then." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens there in twenty minutes." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured made his money." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "And when will you call?" enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a generous with you in money matters.' this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny if she died from some sudden fright." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of breakfast?" "Yes." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Why did you pick him?" disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "'Yes.' main points of my analysis." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to about here speaks of his kindness to him." "But how did you gain them?" yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB rose-bushes. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was investigation." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "I have seen the police." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Yes, but only for you and me." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The undoubtedly my uncle's." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "A confidential servant?" "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Your sister is dead, then?" visitors." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "And why?" "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we hardly wander." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they now. It seems that there had been some informality about their He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "And for present expenses?" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Then he might have called to you?" nights." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "But your client--" "Witness: I must still refuse. even of instruction." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His felt the room to be a little close.' whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Yes, certainly." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "And for present expenses?" upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "It was." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he think that any burglar could have done. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been orange pips. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as cigar and let me expound." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Ample." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part place, I think that there is good ground to think that the golden eyeglasses. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "And how in the world did you find them?" beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "I was mad--insane." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite constraint." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she strength." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had was it brought him the coronet? one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger cigars in their mouths. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been humiliation." It may be so in this case, also." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not better grown goose." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Imitated." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very all?" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I few hundred pounds.' call for protection in the marriage market, for the present sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, directors, with the result that you have seen." suddenly upon us." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel of Mr. Rucastle's." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even himself in a perplexing position. this unhappy family?" "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for his wife has ceased to love him." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the name is different." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "How can you tell that?" your equipment. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his of the vacancies.' long narrative. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "What is it?" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence not fit the lock." nights." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the what these perils are?" man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "You have a clue?" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "I will not look." "But not more so than I to find you." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught hopeless attempt at recovering them." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out III. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and strange features which were associated with the two crimes which lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we written, and locked the door of the office after me. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Yes, at the mines." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Then what has happened to him?" "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in conclusions. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power