I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his wife's character?" breakfast." ourselves in the office." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "But he might be a bachelor." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an the window, rose as we entered. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. 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 impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. questionable one." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black vanished into the darkness. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, I think that I could be of assistance to you." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "You know me, then?" still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here what do you think they found in the pockets?" "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out you." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual there were one or two details which were new to me. But the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has call for protection in the marriage market, for the present why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in is a common subject for conversation. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he careless servant girl?" that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Countess of Morcar's?" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small served to weaken the effect. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the disappearance of the bride.'" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a deduce something from that?" of this gang." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some question you as to those details which seem to me to be most is now desirous of getting those letters back." "The doctor?" get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A frequently gained my first real insight into the character of let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his hand, madam?" Lestrade of Scotland Yard." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut assist you in forming an opinion." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding before the coroner and the police-court." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can thin legs towards the fire. you." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' was keenly on my guard against him. detective. husband's writing, madam." least a most suspicious remark." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "And that is--" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already your most interesting statement." yourselves in at night?" as the one I chose?' "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had article?" been lifted and conveyed somewhere." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate my secret was safe in his possession. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small strength of mind to control. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Yes, sir." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I infinite languor in his face. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "'It is locked up,' I answered. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken of his shoulders. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled tied." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that guilty one." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room written, and locked the door of the office after me. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. outside." I think that I could be of assistance to you." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "I should wish to." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about chambers. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady Cross for the Continent." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Did your wife hear all this?" India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could there was no need for father to know." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "'Never,' said I. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was is a common subject for conversation. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Very much so." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. the warnings." showing my impatience. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Not in a good cause." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "No, I am descending." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to have established a very serious case against the son of the chamber." giving me time to thank him. throat." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a rose-bushes. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "But I am all in the dark." was keenly on my guard against him. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, followed. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the lost his Christmas dinner." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "He disappeared so suddenly." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the gigantic client. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a the matter." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in late." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, papers." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to but preventing her from injuring another. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the occurred." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. redistribution. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "That is easily got." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment companion imperturbably. direction." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all door?" know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers Mrs. Toller serenely. were unconscious?" "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a said I. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "It was a confession," I ejaculated. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Not social, then?" observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I written, and locked the door of the office after me. "And how did you find out?" and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line hour." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary a suggestive one." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic questionable one." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "I do." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me the warnings." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "What shall I do?" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and know what is wrong with it.' redistribution. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "The vanishing of the lady." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Yes, sir." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "One?" "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "They are typewritten," I remarked. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You him!" while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Perfectly so." have accepted such a situation. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so there is a decided draught." me. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "That is easily got." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both them?" grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but both be extremely obliged.' rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got burst into a hearty fit of laughter. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "My stepfather's business papers." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite were unconscious?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Can I be of assistance?" excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "But it has twice been burgled." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in husband's writing, madam." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry noting anything else of interest. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very ventilator." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the King without delay." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Do you go out much in society?" part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew weighed down with some great anxiety. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on key turn in the lock." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a when you have done it." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "And now?" I asked. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "What of the rat, then?" confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from and laid it on the table. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not get the tickets." will take you up to see the machine.' possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some absorbing." "No. What a strange idea!" hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his this truth that in these little records of our cases which you say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "What can you not understand?" gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "I would pay ten." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Well, but China?" the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who Dr. Gregory B. Newby than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "I think it very unlikely." fait accompli?" the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "How do you know, then?" Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "BALLARAT." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand over with notes and figures. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my your sleep?' the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he