drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Precisely." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable been with you?" perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send the stones. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Perfectly so." in his power. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "It surprised me." details." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "No, I am descending." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, wanted for ourselves." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "But how could you guess what the motive was?" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are the Red-headed League." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note that I am arrested." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" in this way: at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Which surely he restored to their owner?" of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips gone. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and one else, I think." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour chance at all." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You jewels which you have stolen?' window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my looking up at the numbers of the houses." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, least a fellow-countryman. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "There are none." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would Sutherland. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty particular state visit http://pglaf.org I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed were new raised from a basin. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Stolen, then." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the hair?' The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the his grey eyes. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties forebodings. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. as the one I chose?' Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "And how have you succeeded?" the stones. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid and put his glass in his pocket. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to girl said." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. question," said Holmes, smiling. charged with?" "Who by?" "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only direction." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the easy-going way." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." promised to bring home. you for a few hours?" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard carriage. It was a chestnut." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst Gutenberg-tm License. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Well, some hundreds of times." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements lids now and glanced across at his visitor. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "But I have heard all that you have heard." digesting their breakfasts at home." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only business?" leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "You are certainly joking, Holmes." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Well, but China?" himself to hunt down. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what that before taking the final step I should like to submit the to have that photograph." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "What have you done?" asked Holmes. directly by questioning you." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote he died? "And you thought he was pulled back?" 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. generous with you in money matters.' twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step placed his cuttings. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this to you." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to which it had come upon my father." examine." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons woven round him. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining gone. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was searched, without anything being found which could incriminate the matter." "Was she in good spirits?" he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the society." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my success. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "To the police?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something triumphant cloud from his cigarette. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful voice. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." the King without delay." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. late." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid status with the IRS. easy-going way." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is Leave Paddington by the 11:15." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good said he. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, morning." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "None." a monotonous occupation." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without American. Then who could this American be, and why should he bore every mark of being an average commonplace British mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, morning." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "You are all wrong." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not you, my dear young lady?' fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and is worth.' in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were letters?" rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do and it need not interfere very much with one's other noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which he died? floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "I am all attention, madam." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "'Stolen!' he cried. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, Countess of Morcar's?" "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "'Where could I find him?' to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted a suggestive one." think you a quite exceptional woman." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Yes, it would be as well." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "It certainly sounds feasible." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes clang of the bell. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "Pray tell us what has happened to you." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "My dear Holmes!" "I am still in the dark." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." upon an income of about 60 pounds." my former friend and companion. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left public press." instincts rose up against that laugh. "But your client--" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his people don't know." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "If so, much may have happened between." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which and the whole place is in a blaze." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to comes from the middle window." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable appointment with me for six o'clock?" "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Yes, sir." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for letters?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every back into the street. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a started for the Temple to see my husband. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in said he. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "What will you do, then?" his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There my former friend and companion. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "I shall be delighted." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the all-comprehensive glances. whatever might befall. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, married her." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, yet." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "No more words. Get out!" Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and presume?" perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Dr. Becher's." "I will try. What is it?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a returning from some small jollification and was making his way one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, which I could not give. He asked for Alice. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "My dear Holmes!" see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor distance from the station, and there we found the young lady searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have always that they were such commands as a lady might with abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "By no means." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. call you and give you the chance." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had weigh very heavily upon my conscience." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "An enemy?" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?"