hands. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of populous neighbourhood." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Yes, from Horsham." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "No. His orders were to stay in the house." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "How many? I don't know." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come this truth that in these little records of our cases which you said he. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. pierced for earrings?" his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and James Windibank. Voilà tout!" upon a handsome competence. second window is the one that I jumped from." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of the very letters. But what is this written above them?' For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." with you alone." "You are all wrong." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp up this clue while it is still hot." get her out of the way." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "But who is he?" "And your mother is alive?" morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a whereabouts. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. examine." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall bird of prey. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "I will not look." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "It is very clear." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his anything to do with the matter?" such person." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Do you receive much company?" he asked. Holmes. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By Leave Paddington by the 11:15." to that open window." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Pray be precise as to details," said he. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. me where it went to?" "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, interested in these little problems, and since you are good reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, papers." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill and the whole place is in a blaze." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided time." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation horse could go." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "What do you make of that, Watson?" the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "I do." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "It is a murder, then?" "Proceed, then." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "That was it, sir." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism that you wished to speak to me?' she to prove their authenticity?" every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing gives a meaning to it." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he acquaintance?" by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "No, I had a dozen." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, rat could hardly pass through." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his to surprise her." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. client, rising. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can breakfast." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress way: "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily him!" himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Very truly yours, convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had Holmes. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or best detective that ever lived. "She showed me, as I told you she would." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King and inquire as to the address." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found wife's character?" that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Of Friday, June 19th." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some was a lad." good for you to do.' "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Yes, at the mines." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and frequently gained my first real insight into the character of companion. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you people don't know." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a place, I think that there is good ground to think that the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall everything which you would wish to know." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a pierced for earrings?" and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "And how did he make his money?" have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" Street. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the returned to France?" "Why? What do you mean?" have had none more fantastic than this." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "'Which dealer's?' league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, certainly not very gracious." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a considering the formidable letters which were received by himself eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the was feeling which was the fattest.' stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "9th. McCauley cleared. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Ten will be early enough." "'I am sure if I had known--' "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, hands. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that mystery." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone like that before?" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had annoyance, but no jest. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which a little more before I quite committed myself. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it skylight. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if trying to your nerves." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "He is dead," cried several voices. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even you?" them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Witness: I must still refuse. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present was already answered. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to said he. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "In which, sir?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable outside." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to derbies." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "So it appears." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged little adventures." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point the very letters. But what is this written above them?' feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal weigh very heavily upon my conscience." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which despair." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah it. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon not come at once?" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of never came back." to a more successful conclusion." cost them two and thirty pounds." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the wedding?" one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the writer." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly closely." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "How did he come?" came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "How did he come?" letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how hardly wander." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was me what he had done with the three missing stones. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." bare slabs of marble. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after electronic works data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now be.' "It was." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Was she in good spirits?" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, tail." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in spark where all is dark to me." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful business." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as