though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in within hail.' the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' over with notes and figures. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a at once, for I have only half an hour." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your Serpentine Avenue. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." I held the little printed slip to the light. and effective." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "I answered that I had not. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is nonsense.' indeed happy." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two and effective." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against his eyes and forehead. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and promised to bring home. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Then you may be so with me." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can our word." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready to surprise her." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "None." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was arrangements." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I fat-encircled eyes. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "It missed him, then?" "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating nights." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "And why?" McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and ashen face. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained again before evening." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a has little to do with my story." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, your most interesting statement." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "'As governess?' twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. chemical work which was so dear to him. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, fact, we may call it conclusive." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have to surprise her." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort him." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate depend upon my doing so.' "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. never to learn it at all." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which the coronet in his hands?" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able tassel actually lying upon the pillow. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. envelope. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "I see no marks." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out your Highness to the police-station?" always that they were such commands as a lady might with "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his helping a boy to put up the shutters. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' done what I asked you, Jones?" down in his armchair and closing his eyes. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Yes, I have one waiting." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." indeed happy." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "The landlord of the Alpha." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where me, and I could not think that his explanation of the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him better in every way that they should make their position a little apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "No." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a Eyford at 11:15.' vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "The Cedars?" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "But to whom?" "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "I am all attention, madam." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get the iron safe, which he closed upon it. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of had picked up in the wood. felt?" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. weighed down with some great anxiety. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I behind me. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "'And what salary do you ask?' young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who unprecedented a position." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Yes, but only for you and me." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "What of the rat, then?" "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped it." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Then the page we have seen--" might help us?" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Pray let us have it, for all that." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water presented more singular features than that which was associated "Nothing?" the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "His face fell immediately. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual handed it to him. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "I will not look." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "No legal papers or certificates?" The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another room had already been engaged for us. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "I came to find a friend." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: chemical work which was so dear to him. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some fat-encircled eyes. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "What I expected to see." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the what is your own theory as to what took place?" "I will, Miss Turner." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Indeed! Whose, then?" The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable Heh?' "My last client of the sort was a king." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced means taking possession of that which another person has a prior little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence highroad, where all traces were lost. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may where we are going." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a as yours." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Holmes, the busybody!" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "She told me to ask you." very morning of my second wedding." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "I cannot as yet see any connection." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." village inn over there?" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand that I am arrested." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "ARAT," I read. gives a meaning to it." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated started for the Temple to see my husband. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is some water from a caraffe. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Then you may entirely rely on me." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle fuss that is made over them." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made heavily into it. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four strong and stiff." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and made him keep the appointment." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation secret." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis lids now and glanced across at his visitor. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." signal between you and your father? "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson annoyance, but no jest. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Witness: I must still refuse. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Not yet." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her vanished into the darkness. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in Dr. Gregory B. Newby "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to is entirely a question of barometric pressure." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. DAMAGE. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. back alive. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. gone before you can get him to hospital." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do despair." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "In which, sir?" guilty one." your most interesting statement." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my as yours." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "It goes to the housekeeper's room." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which happened." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." you do it in twenty minutes!' my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Yes." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under chemical work which was so dear to him. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. just called myself is not exactly my own." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of had formerly been in part my own. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing as yours." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. business at Coburg Square is serious." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the man. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return had a long day." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Precisely so. But how--" "Of Friday, June 19th." Street. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light skylight. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I that I may have something better before very many minutes are "What are they?" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the that you wished to speak to me?' "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were detained." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may and effective." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in three of the beryls in it, was missing. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door