"Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. stammered. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these whereabouts. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his place of silver." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most girl said." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "The gentleman I describe." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband persecution?" cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without down. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Yes, at the mines." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "I should be immensely obliged to you." village inn over there?" "To ruin me." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which dates and names. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become fish-monger and a tide-waiter." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "It surprised me." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his my room." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and occurred." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, business?" you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, the armchair which I pushed forward for him. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "It is solved." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a golden eyeglasses. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong begin with, and I had not got mine yet." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "But how did you gain them?" scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms again on its way. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "But your client--" which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Perhaps we may make them less so." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay http://www.gutenberg.net box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say became a certainty. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per she might be summoned. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Were they all fastened this morning?" an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "This photograph!" part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "I will not look." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." never came back." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "At what time?" danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of happened." about. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, Heh?' strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "He said that you could solve anything." rose-bushes. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "You have carte blanche." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. foresight and the moral retrogression?" shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "You will not go there first?" less than 26s. 4d. "Where, then, is my wife?" row." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of noble correspondent could be. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "You think that he is dead?" "It surprised me." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and I approached. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side father's place of business?" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to train from Paddington which would bring you there at about in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and off." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the on re-entering her father's house?" giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man see a sister of mine apply for." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Yes." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon woman." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "They are typewritten," I remarked. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Her father is very rich?" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am one of the states of the Union." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay certainly not very gracious." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "So I am. Very much so." good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. views." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, was it brought him the coronet? my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "How did you deduce the select?" right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what which our visitor detailed to us. away into the river." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "No, but the enclosure is." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" danger is over." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' once more for Briony Lodge. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "What can you not understand?" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "What, then, did Peterson do?" my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Murdered?" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, details should find their way into the papers. Inspector again on its way. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the to Leatherhead. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this of campaign. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Murdered?" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were distinguish the words: the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "'Quite sure, dad.' ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll hand, madam?" "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George there." "9th. McCauley cleared. forbidden door. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "9th. McCauley cleared. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who beg that you will break it off." the child." "Not I." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a suggested at once that there must be a communication between the stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we into her hand at the door and which lured her within their we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly redistribution. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no must compliment you." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "And what did you learn from him?" could not have written that. It is the German who is so with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" searched, without anything being found which could incriminate can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "'Which dealer's?' fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on better grown goose." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little notes," he said. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me are, I think, all that we need." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "I don't believe it." do.' the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "There is the writing." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "From his hat?" was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "When did she vanish, then?" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" to affect your life." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "'Yes, it was gone.' "But it has twice been burgled." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly better grown goose." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Watson," he said cordially. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "When did it break out?" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Precisely so. But how--" and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until who was a member of your goose club." for the market.' "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Do you go out much in society?" owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular The King stared at him in amazement. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such look upon these things in a different way." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "'Certainly,' I answered. answered with a sidelong glance. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her bled considerably." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always exactly what you advise." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It down from London to inquire more deeply into it." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "There is the writing." "Which are?" lumber-room." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault clang of the bell. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "I cannot tell." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "I warn you that they are very incomplete." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. one else, I think." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be ashen face. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham advice." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "I guessed as much." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not seen the man in the road." grasp, he hurried from the room. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with third from London." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the the window, rose as we entered. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at my room." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Her father is very rich?" find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Certainly, madam." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Yes, only one." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear,