"So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, annoyance, but no jest. them?" said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Which surely he restored to their owner?" Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number that you wished to speak to me?' "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 throat." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, vault. and put his glass in his pocket. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "What can it mean?" I gasped. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic washing it down with a long draught of water. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the to-night." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Ha! you find it so?" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to with her." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who that threaten you." "'You cannot say what it was?' at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "You saw the ventilator, too?" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Yes, at the mines." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that bore every mark of being an average commonplace British suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "Bought." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be his huge brown hands. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." the bottom.' girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This green of the new foliage. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. she might be summoned. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." just called myself is not exactly my own." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "At the wedding breakfast." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could been shamefully used." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my reach." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. detective. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was it were putty." "One of his hands." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Deserted you?" is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "But how will you look?" to a more successful conclusion." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "And sit in the dark?" direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed once more for Briony Lodge. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Could he throw no light?" he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "But how will you look?" rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Get out!" said he. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "I was mad--insane." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at to tell." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was me where it went to?" "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock tied." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a question. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police himself to tell his story. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "'Yes.' "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "'Never,' said I. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office carriage. It was a chestnut." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon such attractions and accomplishments?' unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me light and attacked it." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the excitement. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "'Never.' Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." brandy and water within his reach. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. compunction about shooting them down." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Yes, he did." questionable one." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "We have tried and failed." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. interested in these little problems, and since you are good memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Oh, the cause is excellent!" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Not in a good cause." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle certainly not very gracious." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "But I am all in the dark." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may into the bag, and made for the door. you." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of the matter." promised to bring home. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried himself to tell his story. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "I am about to be married." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. public press." "But how?" police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to come either from the window or the door. My attention was had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips beg that you will break it off." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was will take you up to see the machine.' to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "You'll never persuade me to believe that." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge fled together." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good straightened it out again. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for it with his own hands." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. wanted for ourselves." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must not fit the lock." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Did you observe the colour?" Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. learned something! Where are the gems?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "The Coroner: What do you mean? waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of to a light-house. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "Dark enough and sinister enough." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "It missed him, then?" Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of foresight and the moral retrogression?" "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "And how did you find out?" this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than our word." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, cigar and let me expound." "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "It was." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words again." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ any." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as read it out to me." "Where, indeed?" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making weapon." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Nothing." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "And from a noble client?" and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "She will not sell." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "And from a noble client?" "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "'Where could I find him?' the coronet in his hand?" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social mystery!" "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been interest. They are important, you understand, without being benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are the coronet at all injured?" nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Not him." entirely devoid of interest." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of Holmes rather sternly. "And that is--" and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual late!' Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which orange pips. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I away in different directions, and I went off to make my own One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at call it cruel." "I have solved it." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up is now desirous of getting those letters back." place of silver." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I woman who has had her own way to make in the world. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. The King stared at him in amazement. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on until night should bring an explanation. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is see me here to avoid scandal." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "I cannot tell." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Yes." who was a member of your goose club." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "But not more so than I to find you." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "'As governess?' metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "He said that you could solve anything." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." looking up at the numbers of the houses." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with this poor creature." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than most interesting one." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Come in!" said Holmes. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "Your presence might be invaluable." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they said he at last. it." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "'Entirely.' common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Very truly yours, and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in only touch the interest." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "In which, sir?" some terrible trap for her." disappearance of the bride.'" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my was not a bird to be seen there. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which meant." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document.