and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled heavy and sharp instrument." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "You horrify me." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. maid will bring up your coffee." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in a very grave face. "But how?" dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the been deceived." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I 11:15.' you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at when you have done it." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that have got?" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With room had already been engaged for us. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a money should be paid at once.' connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of was a lad." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "'No, I know no one in these parts.' especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to his huge brown hands. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go ran thus: suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault comes from the middle window." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Arthur Conan Doyle a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a formed some opinion?" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but certainly not very gracious." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "I am to be neutral?" may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "I cannot tell." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which if she died from some sudden fright." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not meant it for the best. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "I never have." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting correct than the official force." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the keep the flames under. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the started for the Temple to see my husband. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "The rest you will leave in our hands." his eyes and forehead. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different ways of our fellow-men." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "'In my own bureau.' in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes obstinate." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and like gravel from a pit.' "I think that I had better go, Holmes." the bottom.' "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "No." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both province." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "And why in hopes?" "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "It missed him, then?" "'In my own bureau.' Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, ventilator." "Stolen." away into the river." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "No legal papers or certificates?" do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "But it has twice been burgled." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of is entirely a question of barometric pressure." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. friend's singular character. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom case before our client came into the room." may never be exposed to such a temptation." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say over part of the map. "What do you read?" young Openshaw's." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came you in yours." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United golden eyeglasses. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "'How far from the body?' in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but information in his hands the value of which he did not himself Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "What have you to say now?" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Yes, it would be as well." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and arrested. You then--" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of Miss Holder?" very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each second window is the one that I jumped from." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the goes." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out purpose equally well?" "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" one which it was hard to resist. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, you." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his them, and came down just as you departed. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which mystery may be cleared along those lines." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the place no limit on the sum I may draw." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "And who is her maid?" showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this wedding?" purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "'Is 4 pounds a week.' despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "This concluded the examination of the witness." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I Holmes rather sternly. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, tell me that you intended to go into harness." evidence," I remarked. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Ha! you find it so?" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem where we are going." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come young Openshaw's." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Countess of Morcar's?" Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "And when will you call?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to brain must have something in it." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a showing my impatience. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Get out!" said he. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "No, I am descending." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, he. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was peculiar to him. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand he died? its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "No, finished." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter sit on the left-hand side of the driver." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where tell me that you intended to go into harness." "That is possible." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was footfalls from the street. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended weigh very heavily upon my conscience." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "To an end?" remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the very old mansion. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you You can understand that this register and diary may implicate lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions Chief Executive and Director "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. but preventing her from injuring another. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which placed his cuttings. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I criminal. We have already had experience of such." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save death." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "No more words. Get out!" "You have but to name it." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt sofa. This way, please!" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter you in your example." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge to miss it." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the them, and came down just as you departed. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And highroad, where all traces were lost. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Sutherland. "Bought." "And how have you succeeded?" week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would o'clock is it?" her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "I think that it is very probable." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with vault. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Where, then?" I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "No sign of it?" stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Perhaps we may make them less so." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which you came in." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." murdered man." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. key turn in the lock." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Here?" fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for handed it to him. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "What do you mean?" and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to heavily into it. them present such singular features as the strange train of "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Married! When?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. light and attacked it." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Where is it, then?" in the hope of finding them." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Very well, sir. And this stone?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that here." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the I held the little printed slip to the light. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Has he come with you to-night?" staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "You think that he is dead?" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small tail." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel already referred to. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "I don't say that. Perhaps." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "But she could not love him." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the yet." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the someone who had been in Australia." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Pray continue your narrative." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "'Why that?' I asks. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Never." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "It was." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near information in his hands the value of which he did not himself