I. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. details." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" one which it was hard to resist. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "And your mother is alive?" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "VIOLET HUNTER." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case so far?" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, to surprise her." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at of this gang." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant arrested. You then--" WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Where to?" "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the his face which made him a very different person to the round, combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me http://www.gutenberg.net from the brougham. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' help us in this matter." back alive. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, along the entire front of the house, with three long windows the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, mysterious end." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "I beg pardon." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would may have an influence upon European history." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then upon the shelf for the interim." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some once more on the important position which you have been fortunate after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Did you observe the colour?" "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Then I do not see the point." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. conceal it?" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Then I shall certainly come." more solid." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a should be taken.' "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a that he has suffered." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "I should wish to." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "He disappeared so suddenly." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "It is possible." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "But how?" they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts appointment with me for six o'clock?" "One of the highest in England." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the and the colonel ushered me in. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally seven miles from Eyford Station.' spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "But I am all in the dark." second." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as wanted for ourselves." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you to talk it over. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked more terrible than the truth. that threaten you." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United for securing the situation." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "'I shall certainly be there.' over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew again, where I was soon asleep. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as points in connection with it which never have been, and probably companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but should be so warm over such a trifle." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." generous with you in money matters.' "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely yet." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to the morning and make my own way in the world.' could gather together that I was able to avert another public neither fascinating nor artistic." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in your billet.' established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Why serious?" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn success. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "It is very kind of you." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" populous neighbourhood." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "But how did you gain them?" fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible at my own good fortune. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which works. See paragraph 1.E below. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon ashen face. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even bled considerably." gone before you can get him to hospital." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always at once, for I have only half an hour." forebodings. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you awaited us upon the table. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank there!' "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, congratulate you again." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the death." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his situation." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. tear off another piece?' and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." 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 "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "No." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss see a sister of mine apply for." back to my heart. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am train.' Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest McCarthy's innocence. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what an introduction to him?" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving papers must be those that are destroyed.' doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the acquaintance?" "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire in his hands." "Murdered?" uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "I don't believe it." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "I have solved it." "It is his hat." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with money should be paid at once.' once more. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "No bad?" "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the and capable of preserving a secret.' eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "No bad?" what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the silent! Oh, he will be silent!' foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Entirely." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use hard-headed British jury." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, and inquire as to the address." "And how did you find out?" I think that I could be of assistance to you." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through strange features which were associated with the two crimes which across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while knowledge of the world." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country acquaintance?" submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I him." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to forebodings. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia ashen face. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so relation between them, and what the object of his repeated bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. It may be so in this case, also." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was bore every mark of being an average commonplace British that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Then I can wait in the next room." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of key of the affair now." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. have not had my rubber." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Dirty?" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." coroner's jury." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to written. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. hardly wander." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Imitated." "Of what?" writing, and yet I know it well." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk absorbing." "And why?" outsides of the windows. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little him. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon had no one to advise her at such a crisis." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window