acquaintance?" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "'You doubt its value?' he asked. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. writer." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks sound at heart." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his Chief Executive and Director of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Always." you in your example." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. the coronet in his hand?" beyond words. the tragedy. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Were they all fastened this morning?" beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell which was all perfectly true. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project here and I will read it to you: "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what for its centre. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "I am following you closely," I answered. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "No, finished." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a of the efforts of the United States government and of the better shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "No more words. Get out!" diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" you." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "None." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "No." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "How are you getting on?" "Perhaps we may make them less so." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. should be taken.' "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out the nursery. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Yes, all." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such take the flies, but not before." been able to understand it, in a very few words. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return quickly through a disagreeable task. "Yes." "Yes, at the mines." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that is entirely a question of barometric pressure." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "It is true that I have been generally successful." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let ago." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his roused himself from his reverie. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. again." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no cost them two and thirty pounds." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "I have come for advice." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "I should wish to." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, I leave." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, suspect him." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in you understand?" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "What is it, then--a fire?" conversation I have gathered that they have been married about beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, I nodded again. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "It's nothing of the kind." to surprise her." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had crime." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive *** START: FULL LICENSE *** time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "And I." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell at once, for I have only half an hour." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my carriage. It was a chestnut." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my such attractions and accomplishments?' and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little is acting for the best. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but during that time.' depend upon my doing so.' the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider take the flies, but not before." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to married her." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "I cannot as yet see any connection." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. people don't know." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "And leave your case unfinished?" photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. at a side door. placed his cuttings. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" made him keep the appointment." carried out of court." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This is acting for the best. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the do.' dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then of it with the greatest attention. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." locked." companion. went to the Alpha were town bred." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "'Is purely nominal.' passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I is worth.' the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them remarked. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an the best of training." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon stepfather?" most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "And from a noble client?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "I never have." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy means taking possession of that which another person has a prior with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was spare." some water from a caraffe. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, night.' said he. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "I never have." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given I shall communicate with you." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm without success. At last the little money which I had saved began if only as a check to my own memory." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "And how?" lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a galvanised. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But outside." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical British peeress.'" "I never have." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit that I may have something better before very many minutes are entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "What! You do not mean bodies?" "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "But you have hopes?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "I do." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Yes." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, the loss of it. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account down from London to inquire more deeply into it." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "I will get her to show me." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "His face fell immediately. and inquire as to the address." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes strength." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the kindly on the shoulder. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Yes." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the upon an income of about 60 pounds." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen hurried away. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to rat could hardly pass through." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "In which, sir?" Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would shoulder; "he's all right." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Yes, it was twisted." "Dr. Becher's." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of not, dad?" she asked. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." are, and they are waiting for us." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the asked with his eyes open. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully vague figure huddled up in the darkness. status with the IRS. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his night.' said he. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and my friend's incisive reasoning. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the lips." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a lost his Christmas dinner." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." tapping his fingers upon the table. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" business came to an end." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations