and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "'Most admirably.' "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "What!" he roared. Arthur Conan Doyle The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge that you saw all that I did." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a present strange and interesting features that it is no easy that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "In answer to an advertisement." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming interests were the same as his." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to enter Dr. Roylott's room." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might tied." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some business?" "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his and have this put in the evening papers." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" may never be exposed to such a temptation." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both opportunities to fix the problem. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had used to be." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, he bowed and left the room without another word. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. she used." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the 1.F. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of in. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had cup of tea. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "And what did you see?" "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the there!' "Very truly yours, from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, to you." business in the City. She little knew what. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. gone. gigantic client. "I have seen the police." woman." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going conduct the inquiry." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Where did he live, then?" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "From his hat?" "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is door?" the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler good for you to do.' case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps place of silver." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Did you observe the colour?" away to you." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "And sit in the dark?" "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is maiden herself was most instructive." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "'What would be the hours?' I asked. appointment with me for six o'clock?" 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "It's nothing of the kind." pictures, libraries, or plate. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would could gather together that I was able to avert another public hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "We must have a cab." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring drove away. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, retorted upon me, and I on you." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, cigars in the box." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Pray tell us what has happened to you." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Dirty?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else or other trace. But how on earth--" gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have persecution?" "It looks newer than the other things?" at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the carriage. It was a chestnut." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "And the cigar-holder?" Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive thought that she would have been so carried away." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with will he say when he returns?" in this way: enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, upon an income of about 60 pounds." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Precisely." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I meanly of me." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for disturbance in my wife." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure were wasted." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out little trying to do so much typewriting?" "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be gives a meaning to it." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the leave you to your papers for a little." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send intrusion of other matters." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. coat-tails." "'I shall certainly be there.' Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. again." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "It is no ordinary one." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what him nearly every evening." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "I cannot imagine." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' keep the flames under. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their which are rolled in Rotterdam." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I threw himself down with his face to the pillow. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very and laid it on the table. waste of energy." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a take the flies, but not before." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Two days later this same performance was gone through under have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "A client, then?" developed." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I read over the extraordinary announcement. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but of note-paper. It read in this fashion: as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and what is your own theory as to what took place?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "'Yes.' I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a money should be paid at once.' photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a should be so warm over such a trifle." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a fled together." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner if only as a check to my own memory." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying later, upon the night of May 2nd." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further acquaintance?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we you for a few hours?" despair." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side some water from a caraffe. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Absolutely none." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "One horse?" interjected Holmes. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news carpenter." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came cause to be." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near and that he would see to anything that turned up. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Yes, from Horsham." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained some place of shelter and let the county police know what has Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the noble correspondent could be. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut that I can to serve you." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and question you as to those details which seem to me to be most the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Yes. He waved his hands." http://gutenberg.net/license). formed some opinion?" "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. own family. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. entirely devoid of interest." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been swore that no one else had been in the front room during the begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was invisible to me," I remarked. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Then what has happened to him?" her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "No good news?" too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the business at Coburg Square is serious." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "What can it mean?" I gasped. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for learned something! Where are the gems?" promised to bring home. chambers. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same a suggestive one." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Bought." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and of his shoulders. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We throat." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would I leave." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his whatever might befall. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for frequently gained my first real insight into the character of outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. investigation." "Only as much as we can deduce." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, sacrificing it in this offhand fashion.