"Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this ran thus: approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be careless servant girl?" eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, take the flies, but not before." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "What do you mean?" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "How can you tell that?" years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, extraordinary contortions. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "He might." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be appeared upon the scene." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at six. Come in!" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Precisely." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and is acting for the best. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were that the gas is not laid on in his house?" infinite languor in his face. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at there is a decided draught." "Witness: Nothing definite. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the redistribution. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "To the police?" was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Nothing." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any enter Dr. Roylott's room." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which of." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was forbidden door. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Pray do so." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as ill-usage at the hands of fortune. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Will you go?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Then, how do you know?" boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Well." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "This photograph!" "Yes, sir." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Eh? What was that?" "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our leave you to your papers for a little." trifles." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Oh, yes, easily." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a you came in." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Certainly, madam." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the again on its way. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" are, I think, all that we need." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Certainly." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "'Tell me all about it,' said I. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with congenial hunt. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." the room while you explain this matter?" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself hereditary King of Bohemia." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in My friend smiled. window when the police appeared." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "It is very kind of you." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by the one as in the other." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Yes, at the mines." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass and the church but not where the lady lived." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "At what time?" "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "I see many objections to any such theory." "Yes, at the mines." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "By train from Waterloo." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "What will you do, then?" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical people in all walks of life. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Why serious?" "Ten will be early enough." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far a few minutes he said that it would be all right. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was arrested. You then--" save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Why did you pick him?" your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Eh? What was that?" "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Not I." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I crime. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the to some other building. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "'I am sure that I do not know.' read it out to me." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a chill to my heart. "'How far from the body?' in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave criminal. We have already had experience of such." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are was once confined in the cab my mission was practically among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to call you and give you the chance." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Stoke Moran?" said he. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "I was mad--insane." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, I approached. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And bell. Holmes whistled. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this thin, with a long, sharp nose?" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is arrangements." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or characteristics, but those are the more obvious." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have The police have openly confessed that they can at present make master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Very well, sir. And this stone?" you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he remarked. "You horrify me." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "My private note-paper." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "But his left-handedness." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet colour had been driven from his face. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Yes, all." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "'Where could I find him?' occupations.' drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a introspective fashion. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "I see no marks." "Where is it, then?" matter." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "It certainly sounds feasible." "Then I shall certainly come." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew relation between them, and what the object of his repeated lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from Where does the thing come from?' past. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. colour had been driven from his face. prison!" you." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to call for protection in the marriage market, for the present coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know to his chemical studies. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "In answer to an advertisement." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Then the page we have seen--" Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "She will not sell." round with crates and massive boxes. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work with you alone." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. had picked up in the wood. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to 'I should be able to look after that for you.' Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their disturbance in my wife." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other the stable lane now." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which rose-bushes. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian question. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a more solid." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in bonnet, and went out." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place upon an income of about 60 pounds." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." in the port of London." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "My dear Holmes!" "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Never." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project placed his cuttings. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so with you alone." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the noting anything else of interest. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture gone. allusion to a rat. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is very old mansion. keep the flames under. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "How do you know, then?" house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his directors, with the result that you have seen." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Then you may entirely rely on me." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Precisely." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, as this. Pray let me have the details." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" disappearance of the bride.'" "What!" he roared. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep stammered. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but like that before?" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "It was a confession," I ejaculated. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance in him." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "What then?" by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the could not have written that. It is the German who is so in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "'Certainly,' I answered. matters immensely." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were interested in these little problems, and since you are good you, my dear young lady?' "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very face and glided from the room. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I works. "But his left-handedness." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, get her out of the way." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Did you observe the colour?" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, remarked. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "I cannot as yet see any connection." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, character. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "I will, Miss Turner." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All Countess of Morcar's?" "Your sister is dead, then?" gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them Gutenberg-tm License. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw front of me. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes companion. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. once more. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "And when will you call?" of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side