was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was tell him that I know him to be innocent." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not as he remarks, very much against the son." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "I have my revolver," said I. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "I have my revolver," said I. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a in his hands." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Of Friday, June 19th." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "I am all attention, madam." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from morning." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Yes." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, felt the room to be a little close.' over part of the map. "What do you read?" then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture if I call to-morrow?" "And how?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the that he will be back before evening." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap such attractions and accomplishments?' possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the more solid." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "It was." have accepted such a situation. "What will you say?" "I am in hopes that she does." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for said Mr. Holder. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Then I shall certainly come." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' my little problems." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "No, I had a dozen." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "At the wedding breakfast." "Then I shall certainly come." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "And now?" I asked. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "'What, the red-headed man?' and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" this remarkable episode. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have up this clue while it is still hot." corner of the building. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. her also." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, my room." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we asked. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "He disappeared so suddenly." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the three fields round his house, and there he would take his make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such guilty one." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be asked with his eyes open. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his delighted to hear it," he said. "No." visitors." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport was once confined in the cab my mission was practically met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them McCarthy." standing smiling on the door-step. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying my friend's incisive reasoning. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns married her." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. it were putty." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have outbreak?" he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "It was a confession," I ejaculated. felt the room to be a little close.' lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the arrested. You then--" to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country power." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "'Where to?' "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four three fields round his house, and there he would take his everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Quite so." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about words came to my lips. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own went to the Alpha were town bred." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which here." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on foot. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a the tragedy. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of will find little credit to be gained out of this case." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door forecastle of an emigrant ship. that there was nothing in it, after all." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely of Mr. Rucastle's." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael his fortune, and I went back to pa. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Project Gutenberg-tm works. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with salesman. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in happened." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a signal between you and your father? "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure if I call to-morrow?" passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Did he not advertise?" gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as in darkness. Pope's Court. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, Doctor, of the paper and the date." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited was used.' pound a week." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is train.' was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "To an end?" my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of chamber." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been noting anything else of interest. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He good for you to do.' a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. distinguish the words: should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in key of the affair now." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Perhaps I have." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right the driver. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "His face fell immediately. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "And the murderer?" zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of lost his Christmas dinner." "No legal papers or certificates?" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** the house with me." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "How do you know, then?" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Who by?" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after cost them two and thirty pounds." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue giving me time to thank him. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite habit of advancing money.' office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and call for it in person on Monday morning.' hour." "In answer to an advertisement." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay papers must be those that are destroyed.' "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Witness: I must still refuse. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "That you are never beaten." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "I was afraid that you were engaged." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH think that any burglar could have done. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this friends, not even his own brother. my secret was safe in his possession. the matter." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies imbecility!" he cried. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together a very grave face. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." questionable one." about. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about tail." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save where she found matters as described by the last witness. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his sufficient punishment." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a hour." "Stolen." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "'And the work?' more terrible than the truth. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Who by?" and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another detained." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that Cross for the Continent." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "No, finished." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Yes." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "When did she vanish, then?" "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid round with crates and massive boxes. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, lamp in his hand. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "And help." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Yes, all." it. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding minor matters until to-morrow." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On other means.' extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear looking up at the numbers of the houses." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I emerged. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A get the tickets." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when excitement. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice business in the City. She little knew what. may have an influence upon European history." foot. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat examine." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "There is the writing." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my been shamefully used." "What?" one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself records." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but