directors have had misgivings upon the subject." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to been shamefully used." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a tell me that you intended to go into harness." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible relation between them, and what the object of his repeated these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Who was the criminal, then?" "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Get out!" said he. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing key of the affair now." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, 11:15.' thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a derbies." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a hurried by. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. friend's singular character. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought and have this put in the evening papers." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when respectable self." purpose of examination. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you fluttered off among the others. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." was not a bird to be seen there. chambers. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, I took the paper from him and read as follows: "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and drawing your inferences." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." main points of my analysis." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to bonnet, and went out." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had never to learn it at all." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away fat-encircled eyes. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace interest. They are important, you understand, without being transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that second window is the one that I jumped from." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to photograph?" be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." strong reason behind." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and I nodded to show that I had heard. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the Sutherland. said he. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste distinguish the words: fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking closely." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was of note-paper. It read in this fashion: have established a very serious case against the son of the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "'How far from the body?' "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No pierced for earrings?" distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know once more. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. crime." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and to that open window." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "'Not at all. I only doubt--' warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return but preventing her from injuring another. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Is he quiet?" charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my dramatic, in fact." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was down from London to inquire more deeply into it." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "The best possible." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by that before taking the final step I should like to submit the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards Sutherland?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" footfalls from the street. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put forehead. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was strange features which were associated with the two crimes which be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Stolen, then." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I Surrey." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE you, my dear young lady?' charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been success. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "I answered that I had not. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping breakfast and whispered something to her husband. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little what these perils are?" to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this learned something! Where are the gems?" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a never will be, entirely cleared up. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "No." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "I should wish to." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, me where it went to?" and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, she might be summoned. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Certainly." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Will you go?" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at house for five minutes.' should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and arrangements." excitement. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see ran thus: "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock if I call to-morrow?" "But what will you do?" resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." and all of them with the keenest interest. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest of." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in that threaten you." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that their singular warning or token before them when starting upon reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Look there!" said he. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." Sholtos." with you alone." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a the coroner come to?" records." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "'Stolen!' he cried. "VIOLET HUNTER." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment until night should bring an explanation. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the mysterious end." mysterious end." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Entirely." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my fishes. existence." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one that he has suffered." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "My photograph." "Nothing." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and certainly do as you advise." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by despair." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "You have carte blanche." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have retorted upon me, and I on you." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Very truly yours, held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of the armchair which I pushed forward for him. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not that there was nothing in it, after all." how narrow had been my escape. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "And your father? Did you tell him?" registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut mysterious business." "If so, much may have happened between." License. You must require such a user to return or us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was she to prove their authenticity?" public press." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "And I say east," said my patient. "How often?" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I someone who had been in Australia." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. conclusions. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his whereabouts. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in burst out into a roar of laughter. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "And how did you verify them?" vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. place no limit on the sum I may draw." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Then, as to money?" providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the call the police, let the police find what they can.' Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself question you as to those details which seem to me to be most be.' never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." would then never go into court at all." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "'How far from the body?' whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked burst out into a roar of laughter. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed were unconscious?" two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Ah!" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in is now desirous of getting those letters back." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand arrangements." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I cheerful." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Upon what point?" heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your with you alone." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Well." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Where to?" Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Surrey." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez redistribution. laugh and put his lips to my ear. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he and all of them with the keenest interest. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be