He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was behind me. foot. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler carried out of court." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my have had none more fantastic than this." the bottom.' unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and opened a pocket-book and took out a note. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to his face. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more status with the IRS. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm that threaten you." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, Miss Holder?" throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But thought that she would have been so carried away." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Yes, certainly." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a whatever might befall. said he. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in strange features which were associated with the two crimes which introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "And it is--" overpowering excitement and concern. of the vacancies.' fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we with the outside air!" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of just ask you whether you had heard it.' that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the me." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Certainly, madam." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Yes, sir." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Texas, I think." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to away in different directions, and I went off to make my own informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not their singular warning or token before them when starting upon man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked you." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "But not more so than I to find you." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, on re-entering her father's house?" "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was himself in a perplexing position. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its away into the river." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "But it has twice been burgled." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "One?" staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not bore every mark of being an average commonplace British correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of girl said." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Always." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his forehead. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as you?' "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' suggested at once that there must be a communication between the to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Witness: Nothing definite. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Yes, I have one waiting." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Game for a morning drive?" once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "In answer to an advertisement." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you Munro.' again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from you." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in 'I should be able to look after that for you.' gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. interest. They are important, you understand, without being retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he someone who had been in Australia." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." Sutherland. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Yesterday." suddenly upon us." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with unprofitable." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin desk. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did quite distinctive." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to quite distinctive." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said at once, for I have only half an hour." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether case before our client came into the room." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole woman." fait accompli?" brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism following enigmatical notices: his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the own family. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Murdered?" "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut delirious. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A affair. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the second." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Only as much as we can deduce." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "None. Neville wrote those words." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in visitors." handed it to him. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom for its centre. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary introspective fashion. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of Count Von Kramm." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester was already answered. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Have you it here?" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many bill, which interests me deeply." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "So I have heard." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" stood on the top of it. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "I cannot tell." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Yes." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "And what did you learn from him?" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under footfalls from the street. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "I shall be delighted." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "How do you know, then?" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's believe that I should never have any practice at all. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has asked with his eyes open. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" past. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" papers diligently of late, have you not?" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and highroad, where all traces were lost. will take you up to see the machine.' "'Certainly,' I answered. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were comes from the middle window." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able waste of energy." had a long day." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "I am following you closely," I answered. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "How did he come?" unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Get out!" said he. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. paper in the air. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest and wait." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "What!" he roared. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing new duties?' never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "'What, the red-headed man?' sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I key turn in the lock." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Then, how do you know?" over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he advice." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "It is possible." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "And who is her maid?" "Witness: Nothing definite. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great when you have done it." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "What are they?" "Pray let us have it, for all that." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Yes, certainly." "No, but the enclosure is." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls empty. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "How did that help you?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Certainly." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I to Leatherhead. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "How can you tell that?" to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Sutherland. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was to arrive at through this?" and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all furiously. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." the roots. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Perhaps we may make them less so." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are fatally injured? dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the voice. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise late." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and passage and a tap at the door. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, Sholtos." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another chemical work which was so dear to him. Holmes' room. "My stepfather's business papers." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while Watson," he said cordially. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if stepfather?" London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was again." front of me. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of showing my impatience. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "And you can do nothing until then?" the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of have got?" about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "'What do you call purely nominal?' I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if is a common subject for conversation. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of could not account in any way for the presence of the missing with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB and prosperity to your house. Good-night." one which it was hard to resist. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Yes. He waved his hands." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as delighted to hear it," he said. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and with you?" think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting I think that I could be of assistance to you."