was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Is he quiet?" where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she her also." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" searched, without anything being found which could incriminate it." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point very old mansion. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the careless servant girl?" august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Nothing?" me where it went to?" intrusion of other matters." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very memory. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, crowd. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" fire. You quite follow me?" returning from some small jollification and was making his way would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, you." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "About a month then." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining strength in the others." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in served to weaken the effect. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Certainly." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read call for it in person on Monday morning.' provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Is he quiet?" black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran at home. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "It is his hat." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The that I am arrested." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary whereabouts. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. strong and stiff." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he Edgeware Road. are, I think, all that we need." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, better in every way that they should make their position a little you." "We have tried and failed." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the train.' explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, you?' law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from in the hope of finding them." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Why did you pick him?" the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in unprecedented a position." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her Holmes. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from skylight. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have looking up at the numbers of the houses." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a for its centre. success. do.' tell him that I know him to be innocent." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning that the gas is not laid on in his house?" in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Ah!" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "It missed him, then?" "It is solved." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "No more words. Get out!" "And that is--" obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "By no means." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an suspect him." voice. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would call you and give you the chance." "And how did you find out?" hurried away. such person." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "I cannot imagine." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this observed. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" head. So long, then!" evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" fat-encircled eyes. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "VIOLET HUNTER." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "She walked into the breakfast-room." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Where is it, then?" 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the status with the IRS. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "My last client of the sort was a king." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress must be when I saw the door open.' suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and to his chemical studies. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of case-book, which he consulted. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and you found me to-night--and running through the front room she Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "I have hopes." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "She walked into the breakfast-room." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "You forget that I know nothing about it." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Yes, from Horsham." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce Stoke Moran." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into fire. You quite follow me?" future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these had this final quarrel? Leave Paddington by the 11:15." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "A client, then?" astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The and effective." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "And it is--" that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "That's no good." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm bill, which interests me deeply." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." him!" back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and have I gained?" and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at interested in these little problems, and since you are good "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone burst into a hearty fit of laughter. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "'Then let me do so?' "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that amused." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Dr. Gregory B. Newby body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the trifles." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "But who is he?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "We have tried and failed." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason in the dead of the night?' would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "I see many objections to any such theory." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Perhaps we may make them less so." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Of what day?" "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly tension within him. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." purpose equally well?" Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "I was mad--insane." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here himself. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, ran thus: week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to stammered. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. habit of advancing money.' "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "If I can be of use." the ceiling. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Ah, but I was recommended to you." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "How are you getting on?" wall." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, for securing the situation." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my gentleman's clothes. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' remarked. "I cannot imagine." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and conduct the inquiry." are, and they are waiting for us." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, in darkness. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "He slept on the premises." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that the window, rose as we entered. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Now, then, what's the last entry?" in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "But she will refuse." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no when your master had gone out." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple have I gained?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "It is solved." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before the tragedy. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She to surprise her." His name is Francis Prosper." girl said." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Come in!" said Holmes. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he weighed down with some great anxiety. my former friend and companion. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of daring than any effort of the imagination." from you?" your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the the station." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a Does that suggest anything?" is a common subject for conversation. habit of advancing money.' showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, could not have written that. It is the German who is so most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "What do you mean?" "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it careless servant girl?" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and closing the door. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the there." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "I am following you closely," I answered. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you mystery!" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "And sit in the dark?" whatever might befall. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips digesting their breakfasts at home." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I