not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss said he, "my real name is James Ryder." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy whole matter to your consideration." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear down. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "If so, much may have happened between." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a think that any burglar could have done. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. upon the sideboard." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a since then to throw any light upon what became of him." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his nonsense.' a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured and capable of preserving a secret.' shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He I nodded again. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled in one or two places in England?' noble correspondent could be. meant." "No legal papers or certificates?" suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a make me his representative both with the servants and with the general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with to tackle the facts." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Holmes, the busybody!" that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "'And what salary do you ask?' national property. I was determined that the law should have its been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Your presence might be invaluable." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "What have you to say now?" the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB hardly wander." Arthur Conan Doyle this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Why, it's a dummy," said he. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. to-night." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Yes." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "He is still with you, I presume?" her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw been." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that and inquire as to the address." neither fascinating nor artistic." the warnings." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "I should like to see him very much." "'And the work?' rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed hurried by. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I them present such singular features as the strange train of is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Perhaps I have." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "And that is--" threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these bird I ate is country bred." eavesdroppers?' who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." see a sister of mine apply for." "That was it, sir." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I children over to America with him, so that I found myself without branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself then?" I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any sparkled upon his finger. "Breckinridge is his name." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," beg that you will break it off." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as shadow pass over his face as I spoke. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which had picked up in the wood. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "I am still in the dark." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "No, but the enclosure is." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my It was close upon four before the door opened, and a this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I be there in time for your coming." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "I cannot tell." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be been deceived." direction." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "And the murderer?" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. washing it down with a long draught of water. "And Miss Sutherland?" "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Whose house is it?" mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a the nursery. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. his huge brown hands. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "I think that it is very probable." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I during the last few years, and there are many noble families to a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Yes." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" easy-going way." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Very. But will he see it?" a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "I should wish to." system of imprisonment?" do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is the armchair which I pushed forward for him. chair. "It was." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it already referred to. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, which was all perfectly true. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An new acquaintance to Baker Street. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Entirely." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." my friend's incisive reasoning. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "I do." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth if I call to-morrow?" Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Is he quiet?" my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Precisely." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "What steps will you take?" I asked. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "No. His orders were to stay in the house." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "I am still in the dark." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was the Red-headed League." crackling voice. "You will not go there first?" would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the as this. Pray let me have the details." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Not I." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "The rest you will leave in our hands." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Is he quiet?" smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "I cannot say that I have." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built mystery!" feature." pictures, libraries, or plate. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in into her hand at the door and which lured her within their What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it criminal. We have already had experience of such." affair. what is your own theory as to what took place?" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do new duties?' the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own has little to do with my story." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me she slowly sank and died without having recovered her which should have the effect of calling the attention of the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her with some details as to your case." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and chemical work which was so dear to him. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" I think that I could be of assistance to you." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" over with notes and figures. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to companion. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this gigantic client. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "He slept on the premises." will take you up to see the machine.' their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." salesman. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual suddenly upon us." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Yesterday." "Then the page we have seen--" granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I individual and becomes the badge of a society." quick march!" "And help." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in into the room. "'Yes, it was gone.' "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it