"'Most admirably.' in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "'And what are they worth?' I asked. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "How do you know, then?" stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, good for you to do.' rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Witness: I must still refuse. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "We must sit without light. He would see it through the They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get been shamefully used." "In answer to an advertisement." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Won't it ring?" "'I have already given you my word.' went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with it." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is delighted to hear it," he said. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "It must be recovered." "Then you may be so with me." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about door?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. definite end. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. important." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. bears upon the case?" peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. observed. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "By train from Waterloo." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I begin with, and I had not got mine yet." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." three fields round his house, and there he would take his she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go children over to America with him, so that I found myself without she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "And how in the world did you find them?" Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in sound at heart." make me his representative both with the servants and with the with you?" grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. take the flies, but not before." whatever might befall. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening directors have had misgivings upon the subject." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who undoubtedly my uncle's." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by the station." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "I came to find a friend." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from most interesting one." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet system of imprisonment?" sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "What do you mean?" despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I been lifted and conveyed somewhere." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "And how did he make his money?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good present." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned as the one I chose?' note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Do you go out much in society?" "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "'Certainly,' I answered. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding place no limit on the sum I may draw." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him October 9, 1890. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "My dear Holmes!" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery chance." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been on re-entering her father's house?" a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the detective. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Certainly." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "No, I am descending." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his 'please.'" may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." the Red-headed League." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure whatever might befall. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever to Leatherhead. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough never will be, entirely cleared up. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he other lovers by making love himself." "Then you may be so with me." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst Holmes." have one." his huge brown hands. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been humiliation." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly with frightened eyes at his accuser. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will against a man in the prime of life?" accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards enough to aid us in our search." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "But not more so than I to find you." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon enter into my head. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Has he come with you to-night?" Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the nothing with him." The summons was a brief and urgent one. charge against him will break down." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked main points of my analysis." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I my secret was safe in his possession. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with this Miss Turner." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "'Where could I find him?' was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think considering the formidable letters which were received by himself 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "It is solved." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever detective. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich within hail.' "I am following you closely," I answered. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' meanly of me." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "ARAT," I read. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps him and tried to hold him back. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "No sign of it?" the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big works. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three astonishment. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be society." "Very much so." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Murdered?" particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man intimate personal affairs in this public manner." together. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "My dear Holmes!" play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to over with notes and figures. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official with you?" "And now?" He raised his hand. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian it. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you never came back." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official 1.E.9. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey crackling voice. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. late." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare used to be." one else, I think." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Only as much as we can deduce." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat thought that she would have been so carried away." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "'Is 4 pounds a week.' scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "'What would be the hours?' I asked. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "How long did she speak to this Alice?" on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would relation between them, and what the object of his repeated anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire society." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to of a light. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great purpose of examination. followed. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the better grown goose." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand is now desirous of getting those letters back." be there in time for your coming." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever people in all walks of life. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version the bed, and you in that chair." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in carried out of court." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "What will you say?" that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as