formed some opinion?" following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' weighed down with some great anxiety. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Who by?" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey and it need not interfere very much with one's other He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. emerged. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Nearly eleven." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into you." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." papers." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have yards of it?' grasp, he hurried from the room. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The bird I ate is country bred." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and despaired of." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert take the flies, but not before." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no the stones. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." you." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "No. What a strange idea!" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A humiliation." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America legal crime." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have to a more successful conclusion." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "That is not always so easy." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and I. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open will find little credit to be gained out of this case." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he ventilator." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining better in every way that they should make their position a little after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." constraint." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "On Monday." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near invisible to me," I remarked. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of not use it unless it is absolutely needed." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a mysterious business." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, useful material for showing traces. The double line a little open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "The best possible." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought States. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on never will be, entirely cleared up. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel business in the City. She little knew what. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of both be extremely obliged.' window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as dates and names. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Witness: I must still refuse. had this final quarrel? despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "On your arm?" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "How on earth--" said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both there was no need for father to know." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Nothing." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came eavesdroppers?' Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you III. "Upon what point?" rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the our word." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he that I can to serve you." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "I will do it." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my green of the new foliage. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Edgeware Road. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt allusion to a rat. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Seven!" I answered. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the telegram would bring me down to your help." photograph?" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, to have that photograph." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony him!" while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "It is a murder, then?" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there will be renamed. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out again on its way. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in indeed happy." who was a member of your goose club." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Oh, the cause is excellent!" shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily on in his house." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg do.' A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can was used.' vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long handed it to him. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, the station." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a nights." "Not in the least." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest ventilator." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips appeal." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was bell. Holmes whistled. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such stepfather?" remarked. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange I nodded again. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "10th. John Swain cleared. "Who was the criminal, then?" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning it with his own hands." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a tassel actually lying upon the pillow. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "This concluded the examination of the witness." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "The doctor?" quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "'Never.' "And now?" He raised his hand. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on felt the room to be a little close.' request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Yes, only one." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the window when the police appeared." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Yes, he did." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Then how many are there?" at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." always that they were such commands as a lady might with note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "I have come for advice." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Not I." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Precisely." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is presume?" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there come either from the window or the door. My attention was think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Certainly." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid the coronet at all injured?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with mysterious end." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a the matter." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Just look it up, then." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account fattened it expressly for you.' there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "I think that it is very probable." the morning and make my own way in the world.' "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Then I am your man." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "I will try. What is it?" His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I introspective fashion. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "What!" he roared. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I been deceived." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "I don't say that. Perhaps." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "I was sure that I might rely on you." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous chemical work which was so dear to him. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Only as much as we can deduce." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are business?" was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "How about poison?" research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have been lifted and conveyed somewhere." drawing your inferences." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "It is possible." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of cigar and let me expound." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I as yours." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard friends, not even his own brother. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I amused." neither fascinating nor artistic." answered with a sidelong glance. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was of campaign. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. gone before you can get him to hospital." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a it right.' insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the do." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, remarked. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet could gather together that I was able to avert another public to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life