"Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Ample." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have everything which you would wish to know." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. awkward doing business with an alias." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "You were travelling in the States?" "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that said he. the devil!" "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every which we had just quitted. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table neither fascinating nor artistic." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this was a loud and authoritative tap. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion presented which may be striking and bizarre without being Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." served to weaken the effect. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not other means.' roused himself from his reverie. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have the child." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said I approached. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Ah!" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon handed it to him. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business becomes even more simple." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used nothing with him." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." people in all walks of life. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of she slowly sank and died without having recovered her means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. hands. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "Not him." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, wife's character?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, the salesman. fear." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went notes," he said. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a the bed, and you in that chair." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "'Quite sure, dad.' reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of question," said Holmes, smiling. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she direction." I shall communicate with you." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire useful material for showing traces. The double line a little emerged. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. business." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Not in the least." them present such singular features as the strange train of "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy use an arc-and-compass breastpin." clanging. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my flock.' drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new you, my dear young lady?' still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "But he might be a bachelor." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in been anything against him. He had for years been known as a look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, said I. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There this poor creature." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, impression behind it as though a window had gently closed hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the there has been an enclosure here!" "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, he bowed and left the room without another word. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your my special province." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has again before evening." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must mysterious business." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "How about poison?" the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "But how?" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" beg that you will break it off." hopeless attempt at recovering them." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "How did he come?" Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are that the gas is not laid on in his house?" that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. bonnet, and went out." "But his lameness?" For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Holmes. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "No." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "I am still in the dark." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Here?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "I shall be delighted." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those questioning and rather startled gaze. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone that?' He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "We were both in the photograph." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. obstinate." know what is wrong with it.' "'Certainly not.' and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Breckinridge is his name." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most heavy and sharp instrument." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them always that they were such commands as a lady might with light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" ordinary clothes on?" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "You heard nothing yourself last night?" to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "How do you know, then?" "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came The King stared at him in amazement. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary triumphant cloud from his cigarette. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not strength in the others." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, I. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, woman who has had her own way to make in the world. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to must compliment you." the general public were present, then?" rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of you found me to-night--and running through the front room she maiden herself was most instructive." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. chance." upon a handsome competence. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going noting anything else of interest. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Yes." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to fasten all the windows?" But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had character. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "No legal papers or certificates?" wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it Cross for the Continent." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "A call for help, you thought?" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Then he might have called to you?" plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "And your mother is alive?" five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Yes." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the come either from the window or the door. My attention was "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was if only as a check to my own memory." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "And help." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had away to you." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" and your relations to her." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of been anything against him. He had for years been known as a very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at shall not find me ungrateful." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most villagers almost as much as their master. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. reach." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she pound a week." "Yes, he did." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his village inn over there?" that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just stalked out of the room. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was the stones. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Watson," he said cordially. "And is that all?" "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" and inquire as to the address." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." dramatic, in fact." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I front of the hall door has given its name to the place. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel people don't know." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some you found me to-night--and running through the front room she everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Yes." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "At the wedding breakfast." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear gives a meaning to it." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a lumber-room." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and giving me time to thank him. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is come either from the window or the door. My attention was "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon presume?" points to suicide?" paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. father's young wife. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP the running down." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was tell him that I know him to be innocent." room?" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "What!" he roared. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off during which he might have communicated with his friend the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. at my own good fortune. learned something! Where are the gems?" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the foresight and the moral retrogression?" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very posted to-day." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon weary and pale-looking.