that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, handed it to him. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was know that the truth is known." other lovers by making love himself." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked hereditary King of Bohemia." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "You have but to name it." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I of fine shops and stately business premises that they really observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden problems help me to do so." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "The murder was done with it." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue the side-table." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As fishes. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly chair. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of a good hundred miles off by now." maid will bring up your coffee." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was I nodded to show that I had heard. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little sofa. This way, please!" from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that brought there to personate someone, and the real person is is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Yes." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are had this final quarrel? "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, looking up at the numbers of the houses." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "I should like to see him very much." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the only touch the interest." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We his wife has ceased to love him." orange pips. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just the night.' pound a week." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy your most interesting statement." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Perhaps I have." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and other means.' his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge drawing your inferences." "It is possible." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that nothing with him." "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Then you may entirely rely on me." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Of what?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on your co-operation." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than passage and a tap at the door. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "I cannot say that I have." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "And for present expenses?" had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." interest. They are important, you understand, without being "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be helping a boy to put up the shutters. strength." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Have you her photograph?" "What, then?" "What office?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "I think that I had better go, Holmes." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached and the church but not where the lady lived." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to made him keep the appointment." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "'What then?' I asked. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so his knees, staring into the fire. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting was not a bird to be seen there. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the II. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking here and I will read it to you: sparkled upon his finger. out of this horrible affair." round with crates and massive boxes. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "I beg pardon." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into in a friendly supper." "Oh, fresh and glossy." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" of your young ladies.' "'Yes, I promise.' his face. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. problems help me to do so." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to strange features which were associated with the two crimes which begin with, and I had not got mine yet." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your is worth.' "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything like that before?" frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in present." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece himself in a perplexing position. you, my dear young lady?' "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "My Mary? Impossible!" interest. They are important, you understand, without being self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "'And the work?' Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I on re-entering her father's house?" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but McCarthy." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "And how have you succeeded?" nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it here and I will read it to you: coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps footfalls from the street. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "But his left-handedness." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "I have seen the police." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "What then?" case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from your Highness to the police-station?" "Did you become engaged then?" mystery!" following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry himself in a perplexing position. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take Holmes' room. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of when your master had gone out." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see which our visitor detailed to us. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had overpowering excitement and concern. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or chance." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the purpose of examination. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Then what has happened to him?" what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be o'clock is it?" "But you have hopes?" which our visitor detailed to us. "I cannot tell." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "On your arm?" words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus guilty parties." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The politicians who had been sent down from the North. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Was he the only applicant?" Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "And you don't know his address?" alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" few hundred pounds.' gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I not, dad?" she asked. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "From his hat?" way in everything. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "'Why that?' I asks. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a Holmes' face clouded over. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand and the whole place is in a blaze." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on interests were the same as his." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. wife's character?" photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among relief. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow burst out into a roar of laughter. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." might have a private word with us. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man developed." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with married her." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel Leadenhall Street--and--" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is case before our client came into the room." "Eh? What was that?" "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. on in his house." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It shall not find me ungrateful." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "'I have already given you my word.' the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your down. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "'Is purely nominal.' views." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Murdered?" leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it I. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a too. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his you." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "But you were on a friendly footing?" "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with and inquire as to the address." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered straightened it out again. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the of it with the greatest attention. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his is entirely a question of barometric pressure." himself to tell his story. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a young Openshaw's." Henry Baker is a member." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far own family. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "What is it?" said he, "my real name is James Ryder." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "And when will you call?" this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "What?" shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. several quiet little villages up there." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "In what way?" asked Holmes. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Why did you pick him?" "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "'How far from the body?' manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line Doctor, of the paper and the date." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank something of him before." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "You were travelling in the States?" other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned this as likely?" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "But you can know nothing of this?" habit of advancing money.' prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present my room." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. Sutherland?" law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A where we are going." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. your own bird, so if you wish--" firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were you." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' learned something! Where are the gems?" signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she.