pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "'Where could I find him?' sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep most interesting one." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert everything which you would wish to know." "Well, it is a possible supposition." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found existence." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof them?" connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a entirely lost his self-respect." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a o'clock is it?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but one else, I think." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came some water from a caraffe. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was legal crime." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard tell them apart.' matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Then I do not see the point." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "But to whom?" now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "He said that you could solve anything." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "No." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I them, and came down just as you departed. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "The knees of his trousers." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Then how many are there?" "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Was your sister dressed?" thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." http://gutenberg.net/license). "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with visitors." to tell." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. the coronet in his hand?" foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had light and attacked it." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of wedding?" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this yet." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and prove to be little relation between the different incidents of appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through late." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" over part of the map. "What do you read?" he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came Clair, of Lee." "I will try. What is it?" to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in she to prove their authenticity?" desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Pray do so." asked with his eyes open. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided and looked back. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on directly by questioning you." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the his fortune, and I went back to pa. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your wedding?" the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem waste of energy." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the that I am arrested." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner burst out into a roar of laughter. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of just called myself is not exactly my own." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." to-night." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking power." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger whereabouts. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 which it had come upon my father." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "But she will refuse." lumber-room." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at quite distinctive." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were you in your example." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her room had already been engaged for us. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "What?" "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a Gutenberg-tm License. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert chance at all." new acquaintance to Baker Street. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy galvanised. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "One of the highest in England." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true a few minutes he said that it would be all right. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of hour?' 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Then I can wait in the next room." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Of what?" "Come in!" said he. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Entirely." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have have accepted such a situation. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was despair." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" grasp, he hurried from the room. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" been shamefully used." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of writers could invent nothing more crude." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. answered with a sidelong glance. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, man. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "I cannot imagine." "Get out!" said he. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office ordinary clothes on?" parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this subject to the trademark license, especially commercial the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but not within a twentieth part of the market price." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped do.' again." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small national property. I was determined that the law should have its be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had yet." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to I nodded to show that I had heard. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "But his left-handedness." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local lamp. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their and inquire as to the address." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, breakfast and whispered something to her husband. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while been deceived." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Where did he live, then?" and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me hands. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And there in twenty minutes." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "No." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." trying to your nerves." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Imitated." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Foundation his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the to miss it." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, cigar and let me expound." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of now. It seems that there had been some informality about their snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "And how have you succeeded?" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy again." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "And Miss Sutherland?" I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, wedding?" pictures, libraries, or plate. night.' said he. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country back alive. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and drawing your inferences." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. might have a private word with us. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between and inquire as to the address." on in his house." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and might help us?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "So I am. Very much so." "If so, much may have happened between." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "How do you know, then?" thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "But she could not love him." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's absorbing." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, best detective that ever lived. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his himself to tell his story. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips imbecility!" he cried. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "I say that I have solved it." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Yes." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the beg that you will break it off." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we way in." at my remark. "Why did you pick him?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project in. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the keep the flames under. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has was lame." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as ventilator." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "'Entirely.' the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you him. papers diligently of late, have you not?" plantation.' stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "'And what salary do you ask?' agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Quite so." details." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Then how many are there?" which it had come upon my father." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "That also I could fathom." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "What have you to say now?" 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger case-book, which he consulted. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years exactly what you advise." "'Which dealer's?' passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. ordinary clothes on?" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." a suggestive one." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Yes." the matter." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB my former friend and companion. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point me. occupations.' "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the three of the beryls in it, was missing. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to mystery may be cleared along those lines." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "You have but to name it." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and burst into a hearty fit of laughter. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "What are they?" "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A relation between them, and what the object of his repeated as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "In heaven's name, what for?" "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." the side-table." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was garden below. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five."