distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the invisible to me," I remarked. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a the running down." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the trifles." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "What will you do, then?" them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was congenial hunt. have I gained?" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up come either from the window or the door. My attention was "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my these bleak autumnal evenings." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for page at http://pglaf.org words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and answer." "It is solved." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this have been better. It is all right." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, said Mr. Holder. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or people don't know." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In with some details as to your case." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the coat-tails." dramatic, in fact." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor other means.' received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his the salesman. "But how?" side. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not as yours." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "How long did she speak to this Alice?" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "'Yes, sir.' despair." is worth.' Heh?' of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "What is it?" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll that he has suffered." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Farm upon the left." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it following enigmatical notices: "You horrify me." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon crime. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off lamp in his hand. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses trifles." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely to his chemical studies. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed outsides of the windows. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so to affect your life." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we could go. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Here?" trifles." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I is now desirous of getting those letters back." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a them, and came down just as you departed. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "My dear Holmes!" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands that you saw all that I did." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Ha! you find it so?" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "And what did you learn from him?" other means.' of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and back into the street. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an gigantic client. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, manager. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "'Never,' said I. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "'And what salary do you ask?' that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "What! a murderous attack?" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself The King stared at him in amazement. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told think that he is innocent?" civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway to-night?' you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which roused himself from his reverie. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will never to learn it at all." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very be best to do. "I cannot tell." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and to Leatherhead. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in situation." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Then the page we have seen--" closely." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is and all of them with the keenest interest. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was The summons was a brief and urgent one. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know with you?" the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the relief. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a ashen face. examine." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very new acquaintance to Baker Street. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he and laid it on the table. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "I beg pardon." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" look dissatisfied." fuss that is made over them." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was I think that I could be of assistance to you." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Pray be precise as to details," said he. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried figure." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin she to prove their authenticity?" window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own tell them apart.' you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Here?" "I am in hopes that she does." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Certainly." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "How did you deduce the select?" "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had followed. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I the date of his supposed suicide." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "I cannot imagine." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we might have a private word with us. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in which are rolled in Rotterdam." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Dark enough and sinister enough." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his heavy and sharp instrument." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Was he the only applicant?" brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it side. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can other means.' it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of had picked up in the wood. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "I cannot as yet see any connection." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "10th. John Swain cleared. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that forbidden door. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "This concluded the examination of the witness." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "It came here." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "I will try. What is it?" served to weaken the effect. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "'Entirely.' lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "No, thank goodness, she did not." "'Stolen!' he cried. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square directly by questioning you." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock front of the hall door has given its name to the place. from the brougham. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Well, but China?" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "By all means." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "I cannot imagine." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four 11:15.' "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all of your young ladies.' another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of a little more before I quite committed myself. "Was he the only applicant?" "Nothing." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, becomes even more simple." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he opportunities to fix the problem. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried tell me that you intended to go into harness." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "He disappeared so suddenly." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "What!" he roared. him to be an active member of the medical profession." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there quick march!" "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am.