well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of papers on the sundial.'" on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates galvanised. following enigmatical notices: his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "What, then?" "Yes." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "What shall I do?" have been better. It is all right." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning Holmes' thin, eager face. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "What! You do not mean bodies?" hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "On the contrary, this is the right side." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and did not hear it also.' in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to the morning and make my own way in the world.' "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. was lame." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "'Yes, sir.' save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "How did you trace it, then?" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little jewels which you have stolen?' certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have which are rolled in Rotterdam." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her before, for it was considerably after midnight. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss the south-west, I see." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. trifles." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "So it appears." "Of what day?" "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose it means?" his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Not yet." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian she to prove their authenticity?" "We must have a cab." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Look there!" said he. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "You don't mind breaking the law?" "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through will find little credit to be gained out of this case." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Witness: Nothing definite. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. the coroner come to?" invisible to me," I remarked. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "My stepfather's business papers." people don't know." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when You want to know what became of those geese?" "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Where, then?" Arthur Conan Doyle acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not cause to be." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who he died? "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Of what?" round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "9th. McCauley cleared. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." I nodded again. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There three fields round his house, and there he would take his Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a ceremony." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could you?' bell. Holmes whistled. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "What then?" TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE individual and becomes the badge of a society." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" this poor creature." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Pray be precise as to details," said he. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "'I shall certainly be there.' comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "What then?" You want to know what became of those geese?" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Where did you address your letters, then?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The take the flies, but not before." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for again before evening." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "I don't say that. Perhaps." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond fait accompli?" dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "I say it is." "Nothing." tapping his fingers upon the table. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally think that he is innocent?" after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the Surrey." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Stolen, then." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed The police have openly confessed that they can at present make half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so was used.' Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "When did it break out?" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I at home. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. chance." one of them." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" long narrative. present." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "My dear Holmes!" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Not him." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same face and glided from the room. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "I see many objections to any such theory." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. McCarthy." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Can I be of assistance?" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish ventilator." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" your sleep?' of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, hardly wander." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." be there in time for your coming." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the Serpentine Avenue. have I gained?" master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful pound a week." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, straightened it out again. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. remarked. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing case-book, which he consulted. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can the address that was given us in the advertisement. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the direction." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, ready to-morrow?' you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "But what harm can there be in that?" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "One horse?" interjected Holmes. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Game for a morning drive?" listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "I know where it is." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the villagers almost as much as their master. Mrs. Toller serenely. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Yes, there are nearly always some there." place of silver." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes rat could hardly pass through." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after dead, shall be safe with us." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "But how did you gain them?" The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Certainly, madam." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the letters?" "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. she might be summoned. companion. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "'You cannot say what it was?' of it with the greatest attention. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "I am armed." colour had been driven from his face. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Nothing?" seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "I am armed." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you again on its way. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and cigars in the box." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a you." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Indeed! Whose, then?" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side it were putty." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her giving me time to thank him. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they together. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could of his shoulders. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, clanging. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary clang of the bell. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely nonsense.' "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. better in every way that they should make their position a little sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in strange features which were associated with the two crimes which And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for