said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then one which it was hard to resist. think that he is innocent?" knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "That is possible." detective. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "My dear Holmes!" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked habit of advancing money.' "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, highroad, where all traces were lost. horse could go." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "'I am sure if I had known--' "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Street. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Get out!" said he. you." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes present." would then never go into court at all." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Who was the criminal, then?" destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "'Yes, sir.' "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never know all about it," he snarled. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "No." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events held up the lantern and gazed about him. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another hand, madam?" balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" wanted for ourselves." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at on in his house." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than might have a private word with us. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "It was an hour's good drive." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that night.' said he. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came power." "No bad?" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "I have my revolver," said I. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. During two years I have had three consultations and one small drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. of." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in this poor creature." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "And you can do nothing until then?" half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "I cannot think." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Could he throw no light?" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all weapon." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and you in yours." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining this Miss Turner." if I call to-morrow?" weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "How many? I don't know." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from we went to search for him, face downward in a little trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone purpose of examination. "Upon what point?" they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other had no one to advise her at such a crisis." quickly through a disagreeable task. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall chamber." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's some place of shelter and let the county police know what has together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the unprofitable." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "An enemy?" tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It through." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." there." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return which I could not give. He asked for Alice. outsides of the windows. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to the nursery. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the hand, madam?" Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the them, and came down just as you departed. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Ample." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the exactly what you advise." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he cigar and let me expound." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Yes, at the mines." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to once more for Briony Lodge. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin You want to know what became of those geese?" and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own arms and began to sob in a high treble key. most interesting one." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not distance from the station, and there we found the young lady remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "'Never.' dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "And how in the world did you find them?" as this. Pray let me have the details." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these was feeling which was the fattest.' was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have room had already been engaged for us. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "In San Francisco, a year ago." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Only as much as we can deduce." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either that before taking the final step I should like to submit the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my License. You must require such a user to return or system of imprisonment?" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Eh? What was that?" thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "What will you do, then?" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled not fit the lock." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Then you may be so with me." redistribution. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Bought." father's young wife. all that?" with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing rat could hardly pass through." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my compunction about shooting them down." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "'Entirely.' I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he and put his glass in his pocket. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere never to learn it at all." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "And I." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is I took the paper from him and read as follows: "I shall most certainly do so." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Oh, yes, easily." "Is he quiet?" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." the nursery. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "9th. McCauley cleared. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. dear old homesteads?" "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Perhaps we may make them less so." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the populous neighbourhood." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "You will not go there first?" this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "It is solved." "To an English lawyer named Norton." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from conversation I have gathered that they have been married about my special province." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few hour." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' DAMAGE. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Tired-looking or fresh?" your only hope of safety." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "But you can know nothing of this?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to who was a member of your goose club." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. status with the IRS. "Holmes, the busybody!" into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to respectable self." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "No." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "I would pay ten." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, think, you have already met." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "What then?" British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Pool. "You have but to name it." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but always that they were such commands as a lady might with were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "What will you say?" important." "How did he come?" matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their Does that suggest anything?" second window is the one that I jumped from." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Just look it up, then." village inn over there?" civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "I cannot tell." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "You have the photograph?" first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, such attractions and accomplishments?' "My private note-paper." back alive. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how that you saw all that I did." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "And Irene Adler?" "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman brought there to personate someone, and the real person is more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The straighten it?" that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the long narrative. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which to go into your room and bar your shutters?" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little Dr. Gregory B. Newby streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "I assure you that I am in your hands." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly because she had spent so short a time in this country that she some mystery and the punishment of some crime."