other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Yes." introspective fashion. "Oh, yes, easily." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "'Why that?' I asks. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw grasp, he hurried from the room. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "'What would be the hours?' I asked. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's already referred to. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's passage and a tap at the door. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his Watson," he said cordially. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than throat." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." help us in this matter." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible the one as in the other." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All companion. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "I have a cab outside." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend his grey eyes. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "There are none." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You the dangers which encompass me." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. with some details as to your case." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the before the coroner and the police-court." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to him nearly every evening." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a interest. They are important, you understand, without being returning from some small jollification and was making his way memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your in the port of London." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town it were putty." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "I will try. What is it?" "'Tell me all about it,' said I. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will drove away. may have an influence upon European history." McCarthy's innocence. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong anything to a woman, for she would have her way." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural me have 200 pounds?' death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. the running down." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "And for present expenses?" "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of was lame." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her the address that was given us in the advertisement. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead American. Then who could this American be, and why should he tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, to change my dress. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "That was it, sir." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "That is also quite modern," said the lady. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons written, and locked the door of the office after me. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls the Red-headed League." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Your sister is dead, then?" creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Nothing." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing said Mr. Holder. fuss that is made over them." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my of the efforts of the United States government and of the better possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "'Quite sure, dad.' for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "When did it break out?" "When did she vanish, then?" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable tell me that you intended to go into harness." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow someone who had been in Australia." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Precisely so. But how--" reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Yes." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, Sutherland?" "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it yet." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the I shall communicate with you." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. was a loud and authoritative tap. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me maiden herself was most instructive." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." Project Gutenberg-tm works. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "That was it, sir." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "I have hopes." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Yesterday." existence." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without Serpentine Avenue. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "'What, the red-headed man?' myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow front of the hall door has given its name to the place. this remarkable episode. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first article?" "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no formed some opinion?" I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. went to the Alpha were town bred." comes from the middle window." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it his knees, staring into the fire. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than next day. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." discontent upon his features. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked think that he is innocent?" "Was she in good spirits?" the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to unprecedented a position." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let fear." "He disappeared so suddenly." "'Very good.' His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Do you know him?" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "ARAT," I read. records." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. but preventing her from injuring another. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. with her." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Yes, there are nearly always some there." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "And how did you find out?" which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. papers." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he of the way of danger. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is one which it was hard to resist. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the death." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot I shall continue with my miserable story. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this bird I ate is country bred." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "What can it mean?" I gasped. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for you give your casting vote to?" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life national property. I was determined that the law should have its again on its way. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I that I can to serve you." must compliment you." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for John Swain, of St. Augustine. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as situation." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one prove to be little relation between the different incidents of them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "And you thought he was pulled back?" "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "The doctor?" she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." point in the dark hollow of his hand. "How did that help you?" had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Quite so." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "You heard nothing yourself last night?" drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "We must have a cab." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "How did you deduce the select?" voice, changing her seat as requested. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "I am armed." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took ready to-morrow?' up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall Holmes." "And what did you see?" was a loud and authoritative tap. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in closing the door. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Has he come with you to-night?" Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "I cannot think." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you long narrative. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "I was mad--insane." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "So I am. Very much so." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in legal crime." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored the stones. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it acquaintance?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway could not have written that. It is the German who is so were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his burst into a hearty fit of laughter. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" tightly behind him. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez His name is Francis Prosper." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually