that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "If I can be of use." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended very old mansion. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot retorted upon me, and I on you." "But how?" something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Of what?" difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought made his money." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Not in a good cause." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "What!" he roared. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of second window is the one that I jumped from." during that time.' as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can is four-and-twenty." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Nothing?" him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "I see no marks." unprofitable." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" charged with?" Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down and the whole place is in a blaze." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, at a side door. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Thank you. Pray proceed." really the only notable feature about the thing." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat that you wished to speak to me?' and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, indeed happy." "10th. John Swain cleared. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went tied." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "You are all wrong." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "'Yes, sir.' quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the Sutherland. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has back alive. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. returning from some small jollification and was making his way repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "It is half-past ten now." despair." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed prison!" "Dirty?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the me. You must get home instantly and act." "From his hat?" manager. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was dear old homesteads?" "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not head. So long, then!" interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one bearing upon the case." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little in darkness. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "And Miss Sutherland?" of the one which your family is now devouring." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in help us in this matter." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words discontent upon his features. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand until night should bring an explanation. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. allusion to a rat. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Then I shall certainly come." His smile broadened. "Could he throw no light?" himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at key of the affair now." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "An accident, I presume?" "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from fait accompli?" hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "How did he come?" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was seen the man in the road." where she found matters as described by the last witness. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "No, I think that I'll take it." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has that he will be back before evening." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the client, rising. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I business." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as presented more singular features than that which was associated for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! as he folded up the epistle. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of and effective." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "You horrify me." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Tired-looking or fresh?" hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as some terrible trap for her." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that dear old homesteads?" last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added room. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are joking. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom congratulate you again." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we Pope's Court. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became spare." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as woman." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the confronted him. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Yes." carpenter." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the dead, shall be safe with us." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had too. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all and your relations to her." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "And Irene Adler?" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Nothing." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "If so, much may have happened between." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "And why?" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "She told me to ask you." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his but preventing her from injuring another. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed tightly behind him. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "10th. John Swain cleared. know all about it," he snarled. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in heavy and sharp instrument." what I may call a really hard day's work." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." your own bird, so if you wish--" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after some place of shelter and let the county police know what has some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he instincts rose up against that laugh. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Get out!" said he. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "What, then, did Peterson do?" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Very much so." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "What shall I do?" "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "What! Had he lost his wife?" and have this put in the evening papers." advice." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and Watson," he said cordially. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on be there in time for your coming." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a gigantic client. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "You have the photograph?" mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one who was a member of your goose club." "A greater distance to travel." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and even of instruction." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a useful material for showing traces. The double line a little society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "So I heard. You have him here?" "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my in this note: have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have garden below. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of Gutenberg-tm License. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen opportunities to fix the problem. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I murdered man." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "And the murderer?" pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Holmes, the busybody!" presented more singular features than that which was associated you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? look dissatisfied." there in twenty minutes." "'Yes, sir.' a room. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she as he folded up the epistle. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without without a word or a look. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "You horrify me!" business matters.' "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" his huge brown hands. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major companion imperturbably. window when the police appeared." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the the morning and make my own way in the world.' envelope. overpowering excitement and concern. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address murdered man." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to shaken than I had ever seen him. passage and a tap at the door. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. said he. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor and it need not interfere very much with one's other already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The think that he is innocent?" will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works yards of it?' "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back enter into my head. "Pray do so." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy quite distinctive." which our visitor detailed to us. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of villagers almost as much as their master. "Did you become engaged then?" "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing