gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Well, some hundreds of times." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "What then?" we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side at once, for I have only half an hour." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if him!" firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in despaired of." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination towards the blaze. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Sutherland. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY make me his representative both with the servants and with the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is fish-monger and a tide-waiter." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Won't it ring?" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Never." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, to-night." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his direction." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what The events in question occurred in the early days of my from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making and all of them with the keenest interest. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in and the whole place is in a blaze." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Edgeware Road. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their the stones. the salesman. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not soul! here is her carriage at the door." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and the King without delay." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Yes, from Horsham." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Not in a good cause." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all the address that was given us in the advertisement. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the the matter?" you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. clang of the bell. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been have accepted such a situation. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Bought." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until do.' brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, directors have had misgivings upon the subject." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" made his money." "An accident, I presume?" figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "10th. John Swain cleared. "I never have." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Watson," he said cordially. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age pictures, libraries, or plate. "Where to?" main points of my analysis." "Dirty?" "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man own family. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost them?" turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "It was." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in key turn in the lock." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "'Yes, I promise.' the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "About a month then." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Your sister is dead, then?" "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may fattened it expressly for you.' Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true of Mr. Rucastle's." which it had come upon my father." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' until night should bring an explanation. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a cigars in the box." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in face and glided from the room. Doctor, of the paper and the date." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' had a long day." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "'Entirely.' scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "None." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler in my life." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave front of me. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, bill, which interests me deeply." tell him that I know him to be innocent." instincts rose up against that laugh. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are here and I will read it to you: It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the new duties?' I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the a little more before I quite committed myself. "Bought." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "'Yes.' an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "He said too much." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." chemical work which was so dear to him. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the tightly behind him. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "But not more so than I to find you." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his McCarthy." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "What! a murderous attack?" washing it down with a long draught of water. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "What are they?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, a little more before I quite committed myself. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of and the colonel ushered me in. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "And sit in the dark?" 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. McCarthy's innocence. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently into her hand at the door and which lured her within their anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle there." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." bears upon the case?" aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is weighed down with some great anxiety. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you look upon these things in a different way." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving carriage. It was a chestnut." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "What have you to say now?" seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Then I do not see the point." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" most important business. It is probable that he will be away all late!' "It is solved." back to my heart. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "An enemy?" hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Never." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with visitors." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a nothing of it?" room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at remarked. "I was sure that I might rely on you." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "'Yes, sir.' "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, the child." "But we can't all be." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of neither fascinating nor artistic." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked on re-entering her father's house?" "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My exactly what you advise." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." voice. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "What! You do not mean bodies?" "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was been deceived." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more how narrow had been my escape. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn less than 26s. 4d. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most you in your example." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do back alive. in this way: "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the observed. to have been novel and of interest." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from to Leatherhead. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of during which he might have communicated with his friend the appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "I fear not." signal between you and your father? never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was to-night's adventure." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My next day. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord troubles have been weighing upon his mind. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Yes." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. the stones. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was populous neighbourhood." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "I have my revolver," said I. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter like that before?" interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "What! Had he lost his wife?" am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that the child." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that astonishment. "It was an hour's good drive." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I your bag." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and his grey eyes. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as likely to be some crony of the landlady's." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "What will you do, then?" but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of yards of it?' connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll