very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "I think that it is very probable." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that fled together." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Precisely so. But how--" the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was that he will be back before evening." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in was keenly on my guard against him. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Eyford." before the coroner and the police-court." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the guilty one." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the to arrive at through this?" morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "No, but the enclosure is." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the cigars in the box." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "I should like to see him very much." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, weapon." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Yes." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "The gentleman I describe." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not bears upon the case?" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "There are none." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "My dear Holmes!" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, detained." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice appointment with me for six o'clock?" Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Where to?" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he neither fascinating nor artistic." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third to talk it over. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing skylight. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "May I see it?" nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Yes." the salesman. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." nonsense.' us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the him. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and exactly what you advise." "You are hungry," I remarked. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Won't it ring?" "I would give my fortune to have them back." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "What have you to say now?" "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "By no means." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke retorted upon me, and I on you." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "You have compromised yourself seriously." attention." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. the coroner come to?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and subject to the trademark license, especially commercial conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "He said that you could solve anything." "My photograph." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "And did you observe any change in her then?" and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless derbies." "And I to find an enemy." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Where is it, then?" him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Thank you. And your address?" her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "VIOLET HUNTER." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save in this note: station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since towards the blaze. if only as a check to my own memory." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Nothing." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "'Certainly not. But why?' unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They was once confined in the cab my mission was practically would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like I. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "I should be immensely obliged to you." arrested. You then--" same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening foot. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily your Highness to the police-station?" "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest bed dies. Does not that strike you?" and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that is now desirous of getting those letters back." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's them?" that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "No, I think that I'll take it." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "My dear Holmes!" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the coat-tails." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a question you as to those details which seem to me to be most inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for if only as a check to my own memory." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" orange pips. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand be best to do. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "You will not go there first?" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Stoke Moran?" said he. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly that I can to serve you." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must such attractions and accomplishments?' because she had spent so short a time in this country that she and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "BALLARAT." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Yes." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a very morning of my second wedding." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was and looked back. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "And Miss Sutherland?" "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general ventilator." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." envelope. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name constraint." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property James Windibank. Voilà tout!" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air himself in a perplexing position. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, signal between you and your father? Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "It missed him, then?" above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New new acquaintance to Baker Street. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me so.' to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then Holmes rather sternly. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have minor matters until to-morrow." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the friend's singular character. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised pound a week." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about reach." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' breakfast?" "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Pray continue your narrative." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "You did not overhear what they said?" think you a quite exceptional woman." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Not social, then?" headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the be there in time for your coming." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was away into the river." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. him to go away.' himself in a perplexing position. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a reach." gone before you can get him to hospital." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "No, I am descending." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Very truly yours, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his upon the shelf for the interim." instituted." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small Clair, of Lee." together. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with to you." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the unclasping of his long thin hands. is worth.' "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous careless servant girl?" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to village inn over there?" reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a shaken than I had ever seen him. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. the side-table." maid will bring up your coffee." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. detective. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal cigars in the box." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for Holmes. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional back into the street. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "I cannot imagine." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally and effective." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the prisoner's face. fattened it expressly for you.' an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were