himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by fattened it expressly for you.' Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Precisely." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have are windows in it, of course?" "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. lamp in his hand. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in o'clock is it?" "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. success. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "The knees of his trousers." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Was he the only applicant?" The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose 1.E.9. the bed, and you in that chair." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure The summons was a brief and urgent one. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "I beg pardon." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his following enigmatical notices: truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of brandy and water within his reach. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "To an end?" I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar with you alone." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "The Coroner: What do you mean? Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she the matter." in the dead of the night?' the coronet in his hands?" on in his house." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. mysterious business." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "My own seal." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a despaired of." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his call for it in person on Monday morning.' his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "I will, Miss Turner." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "And what then?" town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking bird of prey. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Nor running a chance of arrest?" What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always Where does the thing come from?' tapping his fingers upon the table. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to unprofitable." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "What do you make of that, Watson?" I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a was a loud and authoritative tap. pressing in one house as in another. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "How did you trace it, then?" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left he. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in and laid it on the table. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I down from London to inquire more deeply into it." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Seven!" I answered. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and that he has suffered." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Yes, that is the Crown." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a the best of training." again on its way. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Yes, they were peculiar boots." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "I should wish to." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." seem to you to be relevant or not." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." made his money." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you is a common subject for conversation. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now brandy and water within his reach. "About a month then." cigars in their mouths. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by be sorry for having acted so harshly." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Do you receive much company?" he asked. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, about here speaks of his kindness to him." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it carpenter." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "You saw the ventilator, too?" shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is during the last few years, and there are many noble families to follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort was shining brightly. "In the cells." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' sofa. This way, please!" pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up be there in time for your coming." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend and wait." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the written, and locked the door of the office after me. how narrow had been my escape. one's self under obligations.' your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of some mystery and the punishment of some crime." and no precautions can guard against." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' and a shock of very red hair. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "How often?" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in case before our client came into the room." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and look dissatisfied." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "By no means." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since ceremony." "'There is a drive, then?' sentimental considerations in the background which would induce inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door the stable lane now." observed. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Then, as to money?" "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Always." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed is," said he presently: "Which are?" say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Get out!" said he. think, you have already met." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought brain must have something in it." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy should be so warm over such a trifle." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "And help." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "'About the same.' The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon out." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained stalked out of the room. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of problems help me to do so." to you." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in Clair, of Lee." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your individual and becomes the badge of a society." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the formed some opinion?" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said are, I think, all that we need." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which prison!" chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes hand, madam?" gone before you can get him to hospital." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table look upon these things in a different way." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in call for protection in the marriage market, for the present glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Yes." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "'Certainly,' I answered. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the Mary, has deserted me." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its of Fenchurch Street." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to distinguish the words: 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: carried out of court." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary you came in." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Oh, yes, easily." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises ordinary clothes on?" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "But of what society?" the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest security.' rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. emerged. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "What, then, did Peterson do?" family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been thought that she would have been so carried away." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and this poor creature." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Where, then?" "It is possible." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily should be taken.' know that the truth is known." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms Project Gutenberg-tm works. IS "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his his grey eyes. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "What will you say?" was a lad." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will fashion which was peculiar to him. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "I cannot imagine." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Yes, that is the Crown." "You know me, then?" lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "'Certainly not.' passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who together. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal interest. They are important, you understand, without being which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "And what did you see?" over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every and looked back. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project shall use the carriage to-night." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, never to learn it at all." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "But how?" Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. any little problem which you may submit to me." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. 1.E.9. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Then, as to money?" nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving once more. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Then, how do you know?" drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. are, and they are waiting for us." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As client, rising. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it standing smiling on the door-step. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room golden eyeglasses. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and