adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could frequently gained my first real insight into the character of am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "No." trying to your nerves." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, down in his armchair and closing his eyes. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Where, then, is my wife?" "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came But Holmes shook his head gravely. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "I should be immensely obliged to you." drawing your inferences." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "To an end?" "I have a cab outside." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of events, Mr. Windibank!" is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of definite end. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "They are typewritten," I remarked. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had points in connection with it which never have been, and probably back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to wanted for ourselves." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "I do." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser will be renamed. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, His name is Francis Prosper." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were been with you?" "From his hat?" "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by head. So long, then!" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. and it need not interfere very much with one's other it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Were they all fastened this morning?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and highroad, where all traces were lost. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "I cannot tell." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My away to you." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if intrusion of other matters." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity what these perils are?" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "'What would be the hours?' I asked. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Certainly." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be his wife has ceased to love him." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. of your young ladies.' his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these most important business. It is probable that he will be away all which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of few hundred pounds.' woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of may have an influence upon European history." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at status with the IRS. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "This concluded the examination of the witness." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across been shamefully used." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "But to whom?" "What office?" himself to tell his story. promised to bring home. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that father's young wife. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, do.' "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, my little problems." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "One horse?" interjected Holmes. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, gives a meaning to it." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout tear off another piece?' client, rising. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his nights." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of tassel actually lying upon the pillow. second window is the one that I jumped from." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to wife's character?" companion imperturbably. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he subject to the trademark license, especially commercial web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of who was a member of your goose club." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. back to my heart. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to fasten all the windows?" familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell coat-tails." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very anything to do with the matter?" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his 1.F. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have at my remark. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good congenial hunt. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while views." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have will take you up to see the machine.' "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "He said too much." him. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as interests were the same as his." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled sooner or later she must fall a victim. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson could gather together that I was able to avert another public stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so could not have written that. It is the German who is so With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "You know me, then?" that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of that there was nothing in it, after all." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "I guessed as much." was keenly on my guard against him. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and tension within him. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact delirious. directly by questioning you." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing laugh and put his lips to my ear. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "It was a confession," I ejaculated. detective. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the man. I know him from the photograph." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still dramatic, in fact." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so like gravel from a pit.' her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the You want to know what became of those geese?" it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "It looks newer than the other things?" "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "'What, the red-headed man?' enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been breakfast." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "'Why that?' I asks. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her minor matters until to-morrow." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an them, and came down just as you departed. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "About a month then." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from bare slabs of marble. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine excitement. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Nothing?" heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know guilty parties." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "I was certainly surprised to find you there." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything enter into my head. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "And why?" "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Pope's Court, Fleet Street." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "'And what salary do you ask?' can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "I am to be neutral?" inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Ten will be early enough." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his help us in this matter." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Here?" "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for point in the dark hollow of his hand. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had said I. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are trying to your nerves." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." strength of mind to control. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it you?" "Oh, the cause is excellent!" observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" at once, for I have only half an hour." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the again before evening." rat could hardly pass through." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, you." tell him that I know him to be innocent." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. joking. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, that you wished to speak to me?' "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "No good news?" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "By no means." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in asked with his eyes open. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "'Stolen!' he cried. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and mystery." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our keep the flames under. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant had died away into the silence from which it rose. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "But your client--" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall clang of the bell. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "No, finished." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. wall." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing to his chemical studies. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Why? What do you mean?" you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting nice household for a young lady." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of then?" so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "My dear Holmes!" stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "In which, sir?" stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger his forehead." nothing of it?" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it wall." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out straighten it?" "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my note?" fait accompli?" the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure skylight. "Not in the least." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be have I gained?" "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad,