have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" matters immensely." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and excitement. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "At what time?" "But we can't all be." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "What have you to say now?" annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive we went to search for him, face downward in a little not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "BALLARAT." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "You think so, too?" have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that stepfather?" "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "I should like to see him very much." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. acted in my house last night?" John Swain, of St. Augustine. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for death." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "None." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "And I to find an enemy." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" and have this put in the evening papers." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "'A dozen yards or so.' houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the the one as in the other." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "If I can be of use." "It is a murder, then?" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it the tragedy. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of three of the beryls in it, was missing. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and back into the street. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and down in his armchair and closing his eyes. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had unkempt, staring out at me. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use man. I know him from the photograph." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders the ceiling. attention." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "What of the rat, then?" of Fenchurch Street." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little when your master had gone out." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune unkempt, staring out at me. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the and the church but not where the lady lived." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event reach." have not had my rubber." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed Farm upon the left." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter hurried away. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive to-night?' had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "And how did he make his money?" fled together." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "You think that he is dead?" whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Ample." spark where all is dark to me." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I papers." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Of Friday, June 19th." to surprise her." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "But how did you gain them?" little trying to do so much typewriting?" He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," him nearly every evening." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. third from London." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in foot. electronic works daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, them, and came down just as you departed. in his hands." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three you." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "No more words. Get out!" did not hear it also.' opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. McCarthy." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view than was visible to me." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you four million human beings all jostling each other within the call the police, let the police find what they can.' back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four other means.' "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Was she in good spirits?" "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "I guessed as much." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" through." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "I don't believe it." congenial hunt. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the garden below. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "I am about to be married." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: to tackle the facts." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than on in his house." fluttered off among the others. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "'Not at all. I only doubt--' and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "You did not overhear what they said?" your billet.' of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Were they all fastened this morning?" upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" had a long day." soul! here is her carriage at the door." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "An enemy?" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. all-comprehensive glances. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon silent! Oh, he will be silent!' harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined it right.' and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on question. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "'What would be the hours?' I asked. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always spare." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is of fine shops and stately business premises that they really way: and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, into the bag, and made for the door. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they The summons was a brief and urgent one. the stable lane now." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue was a loud and authoritative tap. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "But he might be a bachelor." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "But he might be a bachelor." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. it were putty." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich useful material for showing traces. The double line a little in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to British peeress.'" into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Yes, that is the Crown." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "No bad?" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a do." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Of Friday, June 19th." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in will find little credit to be gained out of this case." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before Where does the thing come from?' eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to weigh very heavily upon my conscience." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that congenial hunt. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "There is the writing." and the church but not where the lady lived." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time interests were the same as his." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "It came here." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Street. Have you good authority for what you say?" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the depend upon your compliance." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I this remarkable episode. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of Leadenhall Street--and--" trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, way in everything. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at floor. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Pray let us have it, for all that." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. closely." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off may never be exposed to such a temptation." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as the iron safe, which he closed upon it. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Do you go out much in society?" the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was writer." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some manager. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though and it need not interfere very much with one's other "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere you?" McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "So I am. Very much so." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office the running down." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. very morning of my second wedding." arrested. You then--" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in sentimental considerations in the background which would induce of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here place, I think that there is good ground to think that the person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "The gentleman I describe." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally strong and stiff." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of recover the gem." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, think that he is innocent?" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See troubles have been weighing upon his mind. said he. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and shadow pass over his face as I spoke. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the with some details as to your case." cheerful." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a papers on the sundial.'" here." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last outside. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time