was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "And how?" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "From his hat?" on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That walking." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington useful material for showing traces. The double line a little (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without had formerly been in part my own. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I showing my impatience. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, the morning and make my own way in the world.' unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Heh?' relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Well, some hundreds of times." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb might have a private word with us. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the was a loud and authoritative tap. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Yes, only one." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My one of the states of the Union." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and once more on the important position which you have been fortunate size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "But you would not advise me to refuse?" she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and him and tried to hold him back. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Quite so. She has her freedom." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to you for a few hours?" when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned this unhappy family?" "Was your sister dressed?" the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since Holmes rather sternly. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Entirely." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "Why, what do you mean?" locked. "You think so, too?" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Was the window open?" there has been an enclosure here!" Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "But what is it you wish?" cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was very old mansion. with the outside air!" himself to tell his story. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. the bed, and you in that chair." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so wall." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. the driver. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more started for the Temple to see my husband. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a I took the paper from him and read as follows: "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "'In my own bureau.' emerged. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I The telegram which we eventually received came late one night hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "And when will you call?" we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in case-book, which he consulted. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Get out!" said he. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been one else, I think." questioning and rather startled gaze. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "You have a clue?" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He open." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of all?" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." was shining brightly. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "'Entirely.' postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "An accident, I presume?" step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Can I be of assistance?" bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I infinite languor in his face. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Yes." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to hurried by. one which it was hard to resist. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little begun to whiten, even as mine has." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. shaken than I had ever seen him. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "I know where it is." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work the loss of it. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey was feeling which was the fattest.' analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him generous with you in money matters.' little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the unprecedented a position." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in present." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations events, Mr. Windibank!" "It is to him that this trophy belongs." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "I cannot think." "What steps will you take?" I asked. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite interested in these little problems, and since you are good the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Well, it is a possible supposition." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men asked with his eyes open. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have fuss that is made over them." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "'I am sure if I had known--' is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light own family. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that Literary Archive Foundation "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Yes, from Horsham." gone. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Entirely." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I already been minutely examined." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into arms and began to sob in a high treble key. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and the warnings." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" placed his cuttings. "At what time?" following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "I never have." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had to change my dress. Miss Holder?" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Witness: It was. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with invisible to me," I remarked. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said McCarthy." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." do.' cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty certainly do as you advise." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, father's place of business?" Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot used to be." get the tickets." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to disappearance of these gems?" "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "But you can know nothing of this?" resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Pray be precise as to details," said he. cigar and let me expound." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into Cross for the Continent." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the such person." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You obstinate." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Awake, Watson?" he asked. daring than any effort of the imagination." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "The gentleman I describe." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with she to prove their authenticity?" call for it in person on Monday morning.' "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately particular state visit http://pglaf.org introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I test if we have an answer to our advertisement." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up of them has the shutters up.' interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as appeared upon the scene." together. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back heavy and sharp instrument." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to not, dad?" she asked. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of he. asked. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "That's no good." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "I should be immensely obliged to you." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are meant it for the best. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I better in every way that they should make their position a little *** START: FULL LICENSE *** him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "From his hat?" when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or me. You must get home instantly and act." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "I should be immensely obliged to you." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has prisoner's face. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "But how did you gain them?" "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" it." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." morning." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a him and tried to hold him back. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry better in every way that they should make their position a little "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone and a shock of very red hair. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "In the cells." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, overpowering excitement and concern. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to Sutherland. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my prepare for the new role I have to play." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he was already answered. to-night?' will take you up to see the machine.' with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." introspective fashion. "'You cannot say what it was?' crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Entirely." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon to-night?' but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm any." "Will you go?" balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "No more words. Get out!" second window is the one that I jumped from." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "From his hat?" weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Was there a secret marriage?" The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on room. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. forbidden door. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Not him." "But what is it you wish?" instincts rose up against that laugh. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed I have it here in my museum." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "But his left-handedness." is now desirous of getting those letters back." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who