seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel this man was intellectual?" garden below. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether province." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to death." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Won't it ring?" public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do Lestrade of Scotland Yard." relief. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice events than those which have happened in my own family." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat that I can to serve you." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "But how did you gain them?" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny unkempt, staring out at me. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End beg that you will break it off." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, name is different." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it fluttered off among the others. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the populous neighbourhood." gentleman's clothes. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. October 9, 1890. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' residence of the great financier. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned make me his representative both with the servants and with the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Here?" "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," morning." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and swore that no one else had been in the front room during the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Yes." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "That also I could fathom." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "But his left-handedness." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "It was." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "It is a murder, then?" chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Texas, I think." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no October 9, 1890. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the time." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the trifles." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding not as remarkable as your advertisement." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that taking in every detail of the apartment. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "The vanishing of the lady." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite already referred to. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into and that he would see to anything that turned up. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Well?" was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend tied." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "'Very good.' sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off direction." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "How often?" following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "I don't believe it." "By no means." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "10th. John Swain cleared. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into row." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. other, as fresh and trim as possible. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Can I be of assistance?" in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it in. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are papers diligently of late, have you not?" and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't there was no need for father to know." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate one of them." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" Count Von Kramm." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." secret." "'I shall certainly be there.' having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with DISSOLVED. have an American origin." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more the little opening for the ventilator is." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Just look it up, then." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "VIOLET HUNTER." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any guilty parties." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Yes." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his to tell." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "The knees of his trousers." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. upon the sideboard." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first the stable lane now." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner even of instruction." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when I leave." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that one's self under obligations.' stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very helping a boy to put up the shutters. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it fact, we may call it conclusive." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, here." certainly not very gracious." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and his wife has ceased to love him." and your relations to her." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given again." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain my secret was safe in his possession. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a ill-usage at the hands of fortune. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk colonel looking down at me. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Precisely." "What are they?" despair." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly think you a quite exceptional woman." before, for it was considerably after midnight. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Has he come with you to-night?" size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Perfectly so." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose them?" "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and before the coroner and the police-court." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to I shall communicate with you." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until him!" presented more singular features than that which was associated held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "What will you do, then?" the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have beyond words. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated already been minutely examined." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed gives a meaning to it." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you said Mr. Holder. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Well?" me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "No." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are hereditary King of Bohemia." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, which our visitor detailed to us. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, before the coroner and the police-court." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection and glanced through. have accepted such a situation. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "It is a murder, then?" waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "I guessed as much." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as within hail.' "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Her father is very rich?" important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At society." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three to-night's adventure." "What do you make of that, Watson?" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does What do you deduce from it?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a answered with a sidelong glance. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in cigar and let me expound." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "I would pay ten." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Here?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the unprecedented a position." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now speckled band?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came http://www.gutenberg.net woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout leaning back in his chair. "You are all wrong." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the touch that coronet?' police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his and have this put in the evening papers." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "On the contrary, this is the right side." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "And now?" He raised his hand. on re-entering her father's house?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "It is very clear." society." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "In the cells." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a