his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You allusion to a rat. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his you found me to-night--and running through the front room she immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to you." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to My friend smiled. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Certainly, madam." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the I nodded again. compunction about shooting them down." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "I am in hopes that she does." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months means taking possession of that which another person has a prior Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up so far?" from you?" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "How on earth--" postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker security.' "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take ourselves in the office." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate disappearance of the bride.'" princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the meanly of me." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Where did he live, then?" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "It is his hat." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a place, I think that there is good ground to think that the are windows in it, of course?" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the over here." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to good for you to do.' "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told fuss that is made over them." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "To ruin me." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." wedding?" "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Pray do so." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Awake, Watson?" he asked. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "But she could not love him." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "But I am all in the dark." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of him!" is," said he presently: Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a lost nothing by them." "Stolen." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he spark where all is dark to me." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "'Yes.' "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the lumber-room." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" Lestrade of Scotland Yard." whether it answered to the description of any of their "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture is worth.' the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled felt?" "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the this Miss Turner." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Did he not advertise?" which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "You horrify me." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds his knees, staring into the fire. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should acted in my house last night?" words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Frequently." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. away into the river." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked once more for Briony Lodge. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to into the bag, and made for the door. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. my former friend and companion. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "No." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible information in his hands the value of which he did not himself wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "On the contrary, this is the right side." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. this poor creature." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to made him keep the appointment." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there of your young ladies.' seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "You forget that I know nothing about it." to change my dress. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had signal between you and your father? was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had beyond words. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "It was a confession," I ejaculated. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Certainly." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him I think that I could be of assistance to you." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate your own bird, so if you wish--" "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "I shall be delighted." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Have you her photograph?" and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very of Mr. Rucastle's." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on nonsense.' "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and for and were ordered to this address. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "No. His orders were to stay in the house." tell me that you intended to go into harness." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of green of the new foliage. both be extremely obliged.' deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner bill, which interests me deeply." if only as a check to my own memory." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now and glanced through. experiences." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, confronted him. Heh?' say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But him. "Yes, it would be as well." the one as in the other." "That is unusual in a young girl." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. towards the blaze. "And help." character. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and brought there to personate someone, and the real person is our word." "Nothing." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "No, my brougham is waiting." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as *** START: FULL LICENSE *** Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a recall any case within my experience which looked at the first collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten once more on the important position which you have been fortunate woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply and no precautions can guard against." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "No." Holmes." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. the best of training." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me my special province." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "That you are never beaten." rose-bushes. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to assist you in forming an opinion." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" to arrive at through this?" useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "No?" maiden herself was most instructive." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an of Mr. Rucastle's." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "One?" "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose place, I think that there is good ground to think that the but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary was shining brightly. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Where did he live, then?" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on ourselves in the office." disappearance of the bride.'" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "What can you not understand?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in with you alone." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "And did you observe any change in her then?" the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's true." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" this remarkable episode. "Certainly." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Witness: It was. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the derbies." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police of fine shops and stately business premises that they really following enigmatical notices: dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "I know where it is." "Pray do so." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, jewels which you have stolen?' very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you situation." trying to your nerves." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful of it with the greatest attention. skylight. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Leave Paddington by the 11:15." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." that?' "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her The telegram which we eventually received came late one night home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to them?"