Transcriber’s Notes

Minor spelling inconsistencies (e.g. footfalls/foot-falls, north-east/southwest, quicklime/quick-lime/quick lime, etc.) have been preserved.

Alterations to the text:

Abandon the use of drop-caps.

Adjust some quotation mark pairings and nestings.

Capitalize five instances of doctor when used in direct addresses.

[Chapter II]

“threw a fresh light, if any were needed on the sinister events” add comma after needed.

[Chapter III]

Change (“By jove!” he exclaimed, “I’m afraid I can’t.) to Jove.

[Chapter IV]

“and he began to chant in an absurb, Punch-like voice” to absurd.

[Chapter V]

“he had taken temporary charge of my uncle’s practise” to practice.

[Chapter VIII]

“throw at least a glimmer of light on his dreadful and baffling mystery” to this.

[Chapter IX]

“We followed him, picking our way daintly, and, having” to daintily.

[Chapter X]

(“that it seems perfectly conceivable that Mrs. Frood could have”) to inconceivable.

(“Don’t rub it.” said Thorndyke, as Bundy clapped his hand) change the period to a comma.

[Chapter XI]

“The sergant turned away with a sort of benevolent contempt” to sergeant.

[Chapter XIII]

(“Yes, it seem undeniable,” I answered.) to seems.

[Chapter XIV]

(“Let me see,” said Thondyke. “Isn’t that the lane that) to Thorndyke.

[Chapter XVI]

“replied Polton, with a smile of ladyrinthine wrinkliness” to labyrinthine.

“It is a dreadful thought?” change question mark to an exclamation mark.

[Chapter XVII]

“after a few moment’s reflection with knitted brows, he stated” to moments’.

[End of text]