boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. anything to do with the matter?" before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "I will try. What is it?" my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "'Certainly not.' "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he which we had just quitted. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Heh?' chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It over part of the map. "What do you read?" reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "May I see it?" "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. the roots. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left giving me time to thank him. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my dates and names. even so self-evident a thing as that." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I later, upon the night of May 2nd." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "But to whom?" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking showing my impatience. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Yes." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the make me his representative both with the servants and with the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Do you know him?" character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no at my own good fortune. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "It looks newer than the other things?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB it. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for clang of the bell. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms during that time.' into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young signal between you and your father? form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be begin with, and I had not got mine yet." appeared upon the scene." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" weighed down with some great anxiety. asked. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It look upon these things in a different way." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. to Leatherhead. main points of my analysis." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do desk. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be fluttered off among the others. emerged. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague likely to be some crony of the landlady's." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. his eyes and forehead. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Well, some hundreds of times." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the papers diligently of late, have you not?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here the little opening for the ventilator is." the matter?" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "I should like to see him very much." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "'Is purely nominal.' "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked knowledge of the world." other lovers by making love himself." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the about. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned have got?" lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even stepfather?" fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" colonel looking down at me. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and very old mansion. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an out of this horrible affair." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young until night should bring an explanation. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "I am in hopes that she does." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It the salesman. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off come either from the window or the door. My attention was layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Dr. Gregory B. Newby beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. appointment with me for six o'clock?" opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Thank you. Pray proceed." upon a handsome competence. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Do you know him?" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by beg that you will break it off." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' the general public were present, then?" License. You must require such a user to return or and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "'There is a drive, then?' "You are hungry," I remarked. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that are, and they are waiting for us." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been paper in the air. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Upon what point?" fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even from the brougham. "An enemy?" "But you have hopes?" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near highly," said Holmes. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his suddenly upon us." sooner or later she must fall a victim. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which was it brought him the coronet? interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of at my own good fortune. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in would apply.' "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his feature." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "The King of Scandinavia." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and were wasted." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. your sleep?' Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to weapon." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "9th. McCauley cleared. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "What office?" in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Pray let us have it, for all that." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Has he come with you to-night?" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter assist you in forming an opinion." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, opened the door, and slipped through. written, and locked the door of the office after me. that he will be back before evening." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From unclasping of his long thin hands. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what directors have had misgivings upon the subject." the station." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "What can you not understand?" that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. gone. "My last client of the sort was a king." "You forget that I know nothing about it." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Yes. He waved his hands." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "What office?" "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the she to prove their authenticity?" analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without three fields round his house, and there he would take his The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "He is dead," cried several voices. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would Farm upon the left." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed fuss that is made over them." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If my special province." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Leadenhall Street--and--" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that into the bag, and made for the door. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. so.' there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not developed." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a relief. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it not fit the lock." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a passage and a tap at the door. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of narrative." words came to my lips. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of generous with you in money matters.' Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "I don't say that. Perhaps." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Not in a good cause." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "On Monday." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "And the murderer?" see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation companion quietly. gives a meaning to it." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he it." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an had formerly been in part my own. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the of the way of danger. "'And the work?' "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "'As governess?' hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Where did he live, then?" The King stared at him in amazement. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able at home. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the