pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a distinguish the words: destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six and a shock of very red hair. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." mystery may be cleared along those lines." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been were new raised from a basin. "We have tried and failed." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I cause to be." taking in every detail of the apartment. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly opportunities to fix the problem. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men the address that was given us in the advertisement. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that to-morrow." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the society." "At what time?" know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Well, but China?" trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Why serious?" to-night." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a down. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the foot. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "I cannot tell." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to what these perils are?" "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Ha! you find it so?" "Who by?" instincts rose up against that laugh. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "I cannot think." and glanced through. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east was used.' peculiar to him. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you one of them." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw face and glided from the room. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very him and tried to hold him back. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the the best of training." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue me where it went to?" do.' "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive wife's character?" Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" what is your own theory as to what took place?" him!" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast a room. call it cruel." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from which are rolled in Rotterdam." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "'In my own bureau.' you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His congenial hunt. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Then I do not see the point." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed tell him that I know him to be innocent." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before the morning and make my own way in the world.' with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was the loss of it. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked breakfast." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Then I shall certainly come." may have an influence upon European history." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that written. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Get out!" said he. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "What then?" the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "But not more so than I to find you." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Indeed! Whose, then?" "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of several quiet little villages up there." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a trying to your nerves." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a conduct the inquiry." to a light-house. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "'Most admirably.' certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" straighten it?" week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "'I shall certainly be there.' William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both business at Coburg Square is serious." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start and effective." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "And it is--" Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems a little more before I quite committed myself. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the time." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when that I can to serve you." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "I am about to be married." and a shock of very red hair. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "How did you deduce the select?" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Nearly eleven." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a really the only notable feature about the thing." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I money should be paid at once.' deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They strode off upon his way. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "How long did she speak to this Alice?" the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and giving me time to thank him. "He said too much." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "You horrify me!" "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" six. Come in!" Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "To ruin me." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Did you become engaged then?" you." when you have done it." as the one I chose?' Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "To an end?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Yes, it was twisted." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man back to my heart. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Her father is very rich?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "What will you say?" never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Game for a morning drive?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "What will you say?" interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could into the room. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "It missed him, then?" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who in one or two places in England?' unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the such person." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must to miss it." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "They are typewritten," I remarked. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she works. See paragraph 1.E below. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am should be taken.' dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong prove to be little relation between the different incidents of gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she matter." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you will take you up to see the machine.' unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "An accident, I presume?" points to suicide?" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "That also I could fathom." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "The gentleman I describe." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" case before our client came into the room." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer answer." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father delighted to hear it," he said. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security remarked. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "And now?" He raised his hand. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "What?" sake, don't!" has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's forecastle of an emigrant ship. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "So it appears." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Was your sister dressed?" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." derbies." "And how in the world did you find them?" that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down disappearance of the bride.'" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "A call for help, you thought?" see a sister of mine apply for." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Absolutely?" "You are certainly joking, Holmes." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he be.' said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "My dear Holmes!" a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. him!" success. his grey eyes. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "To ruin me." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what lamp. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps companion quietly. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes families. Now for the facts. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "And your mother is alive?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "And what did you learn from him?" at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At said Mr. Holder. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he Surrey." remarked. would apply.' hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced to miss it." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the garden below. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Why? What do you mean?" considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Very murderous indeed." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter