signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far weighed down with some great anxiety. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Proceed, then." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." the tragedy. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to place of silver." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, that threaten you." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only Holmes' thin, eager face. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a You want to know what became of those geese?" again on its way. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, information in his hands the value of which he did not himself posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Entirely." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "What?" be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "She will not sell." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until appointment with me for six o'clock?" was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof said Mr. Holder. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting breakfast?" Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, enter into my head. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and http://www.gutenberg.net long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell to surprise her." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "And leave your case unfinished?" terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well said he. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a were new raised from a basin. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is maid will bring up your coffee." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the once more for Briony Lodge. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until pictures, libraries, or plate. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 cost them two and thirty pounds." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "When did it break out?" with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. have got?" cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we name is different." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number do." of this gang." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more strange features which were associated with the two crimes which have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "'Quite sure, dad.' "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew into the bag, and made for the door. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood derbies." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much you." once more. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying hair?' I was concerned in it." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it careless servant girl?" "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Pray tell us what has happened to you." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Witness: I must still refuse. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "How can you tell that?" She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my be sorry for having acted so harshly." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." little trying to do so much typewriting?" the child." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what to tell." Does that suggest anything?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her conceal it?" tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel quite distinctive." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "He slept on the premises." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he occurred." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just have I gained?" "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was everything which you would wish to know." "Here?" seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble despair." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and one's self under obligations.' "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "And what did you see?" place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "How many? I don't know." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off article?" before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of It may be so in this case, also." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who papers." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not the morning and make my own way in the world.' it." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "The decline of his fortunes, then?" envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Quite so." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave to miss it." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, you want, then?' laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "No more words. Get out!" is worth.' retorted upon me, and I on you." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back you give your casting vote to?" there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Yesterday." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything morning." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Pray do so." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, 1.E.9. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "And you don't know his address?" research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do asked with his eyes open. main points of my analysis." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which to a more successful conclusion." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Where did you address your letters, then?" The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting in my life." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "BALLARAT." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by said he. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Where, indeed?" is worth.' perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to hurried by. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of this unhappy family?" "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter for the market.' "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are nice household for a young lady." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." Sutherland. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Yes." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended will not take me long to tell. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "What then?" "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. once more. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the his huge brown hands. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a night.' said he. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn and all of them with the keenest interest. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I towards the blaze. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Witness: It was. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next Young McCarthy must be got off, however." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes forecastle of an emigrant ship. Arthur Conan Doyle should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and I leave." yards of it?' "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry woven round him. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to kindly on the shoulder. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Where is it, then?" little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" standing smiling on the door-step. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "But how will you look?" For additional contact information: walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "I will, Miss Turner." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is to-night." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the gentleman's clothes. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself you?" possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a any more." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat bled considerably." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is intimate personal affairs in this public manner." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his have not had my rubber." "Yes." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Absolutely?" thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There question," said Holmes, smiling. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took horse could go." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "What?" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes in his power. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am open." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many careless servant girl?" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. I held the little printed slip to the light. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" delirious. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of will be renamed. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "9th. McCauley cleared. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "On your arm?" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. knowledge of the world." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every union?" Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, better grown goose." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Eyford." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." round and wave him away like that.' child?' together. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Has he come with you to-night?" she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I best detective that ever lived. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his