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came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "What!" he roared. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Then you may be so with me." dead, shall be safe with us." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an prison!" little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place not come at once?" villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his to tackle the facts." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his quite distinctive." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would whatever might befall. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a writers could invent nothing more crude." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward means taking possession of that which another person has a prior connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, wedding?" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and States. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. some city in a dream. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "VIOLET HUNTER." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up wanted for ourselves." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock breakfast?" tail." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being own family. the so-precious time, but come!' in a very precise fashion." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been the running down." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady at my remark. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was I leave." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In problems help me to do so." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are felt?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most hour?' bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" to take care of herself." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave have an American origin." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as of them has the shutters up.' down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "I am about to be married." until night should bring an explanation. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "That is easily got." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "And the murderer?" her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish and I shall be with you presently." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "'What are you doing there?' he asked. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Nothing." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to to a more successful conclusion." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped to his chemical studies. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but really the only notable feature about the thing." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well highly," said Holmes. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are made his money." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up night.' said he. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is him and tried to hold him back. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the and put his glass in his pocket. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Could he throw no light?" foresight and the moral retrogression?" "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "And why?" "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "I promise," said Holmes. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction daring than any effort of the imagination." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Very murderous indeed." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the fluttered off among the others. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will the dangers which encompass me." cheerful." served to weaken the effect. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old sound at heart." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded Miss Holder?" friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "What I expected to see." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could what I may call a really hard day's work." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke think that he is innocent?" before the coroner and the police-court." "It was." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where fluttered off among the others. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then is worth.' client, rising. matter." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the face and glided from the room. down. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "It is possible." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is them?" "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me villagers almost as much as their master. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Who by?" the driver. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "The rest you will leave in our hands." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction the morning and make my own way in the world.' populous neighbourhood." "Yes." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon suddenly upon us." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my footfalls from the street. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a I was concerned in it." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There we went to search for him, face downward in a little country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that crowd. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he third from London." events than those which have happened in my own family." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which room had already been engaged for us. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. depend upon my doing so.' Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "You have a clue?" tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had throat." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away distinguish the words: matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the chambers. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "You have the photograph?" have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Certainly." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Do you know him?" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he investigation." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the you do it in twenty minutes!' "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as golden eyeglasses. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something III. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then interests were the same as his." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." some city in a dream. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by second window is the one that I jumped from." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune persecution?" horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan colonel looking down at me. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the here and I will read it to you: that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "That is possible." foresight and the moral retrogression?" sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled him and tried to hold him back. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "About a month then." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Why? What do you mean?" these bleak autumnal evenings." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight that you can jump it.' "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left now. It seems that there had been some informality about their At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my are windows in it, of course?" second window is the one that I jumped from." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we the Friday. Was it to be in church?" an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Was the window open?" say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the money should be paid at once.' trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not fled together." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "A confidential servant?" left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Certainly." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a if only as a check to my own memory." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any it were putty." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His six. Come in!" tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey