weapon." "Yes?" "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, brandy and water within his reach. kindly on the shoulder. upon the white wrist. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich nothing with him." morning." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to particular state visit http://pglaf.org she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. new acquaintance to Baker Street. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "I am all attention, madam." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was information in his hands the value of which he did not himself fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's to affect your life." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "And how did you find out?" eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who gigantic client. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an himself to hunt down. thin legs towards the fire. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens strode off upon his way. writing, and yet I know it well." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the showing my impatience. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for galvanised. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, roused himself from his reverie. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain means taking possession of that which another person has a prior black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "That is easily got." "I think that it is very probable." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good bedroom door." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of to that open window." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "I cannot tell." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "No good news?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those you." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed narrative." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed said I. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a likely to be some crony of the landlady's." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." into the room. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Lee, in the county of Kent." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he respectable self." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking bears upon the case?" knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit in a very precise fashion." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what throat." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm whereabouts. "How are you getting on?" this as likely?" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "No, I am descending." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "'About the same.' deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the call it cruel." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is even of instruction." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had desk. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a way in." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" gentleman's clothes. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in giving me time to thank him. help us in this matter." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be hardly wander." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage one's self under obligations.' "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and hands. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, hour?' original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and Again Holmes raved in the air. even of instruction." "An enemy?" a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' back to my heart. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some girl said." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a if she died from some sudden fright." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There in the hope of finding them." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "Why did you beat the pavement?" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I there!' You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "How do you know, then?" shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like or in danger--" was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Witness: It was. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "'And what salary do you ask?' important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The there when the Rucastles went away." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which breakfast and whispered something to her husband. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "'Then let me do so?' "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. some water from a caraffe. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "I never have." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was fatally injured? conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" matters immensely." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Married! When?" weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men my friend's incisive reasoning. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Tired-looking or fresh?" some city in a dream. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so sooner or later she must fall a victim. "How did you deduce the select?" questioning and rather startled gaze. said Mr. Holder. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Well, it is a possible supposition." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "The gentleman I describe." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for know what is wrong with it.' errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Pray continue your narrative." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "No." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "This concluded the examination of the witness." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of once more. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, call for protection in the marriage market, for the present them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "'I am sure if I had known--' "It is possible." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "'Yes, I promise.' pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Yes, all." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for side. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Then I shall certainly come." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, which should have the effect of calling the attention of the know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "About a month then." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just more terrible than the truth. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a felt?" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search approach us with offers to donate. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of clang of the bell. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight villagers almost as much as their master. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "But his left-handedness." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be purpose equally well?" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the enter into my head. of." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for young Openshaw's." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank enough to aid us in our search." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. for securing the situation." once more to my work. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no over his head with a sweet womanly caress. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found Farm upon the left." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right there has been an enclosure here!" explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "I don't believe it." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a galvanised. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the grasp, he hurried from the room. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all said he. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have derbies." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible seen the man in the road." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "What?" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich speckled band?" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken points in connection with it which never have been, and probably Sutherland. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from strong and stiff." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, had died away into the silence from which it rose. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, garden below. "That also I could fathom." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. attention." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low searched, without anything being found which could incriminate business in the City. She little knew what. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "How about poison?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Two days later this same performance was gone through under midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no man. I know him from the photograph." said he at last. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. will take you up to see the machine.' cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "I cannot say that I have." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while this poor creature." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "I beg pardon." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled room?" know what is wrong with it.' how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed the address that was given us in the advertisement. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell he bowed and left the room without another word. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Yes." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat one else, I think." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we