said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Witness: Nothing definite. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Upon what point?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, help us in this matter." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Very much so." "'Yes, sir.' "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Was the window open?" "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent already referred to. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would developed." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel definite end. pound a week." sound at heart." all?" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "And from a noble client?" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and one's self under obligations.' "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I used to be." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much were new raised from a basin. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. comes from the middle window." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "But you would not advise me to refuse?" back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "And help." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Was there a secret marriage?" "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." call for it in person on Monday morning.' lamp. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our and that he would see to anything that turned up. Pope's Court. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on envelope. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Holmes' thin, eager face. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Breckinridge is his name." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was taking in every detail of the apartment. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." skylight. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off fuss that is made over them." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came arrested. You then--" to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to characteristics, but those are the more obvious." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased to-night's adventure." "The Coroner: What do you mean? varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, begin with, and I had not got mine yet." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out their singular warning or token before them when starting upon There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' for the market.' "But his lameness?" Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to will not take me long to tell. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking His smile broadened. "Certainly, madam." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "In the cells." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade that you wished to speak to me?' which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have arrangements." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. During two years I have had three consultations and one small "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already a monotonous occupation." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." excitement. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. cheerful." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would of receipt of the work. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Ample." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "What then?" at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." south, for the country is more deserted there." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but friend's singular character. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "How did you trace it, then?" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel narrative." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our if she died from some sudden fright." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon than to us. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me of them has the shutters up.' strength in the others." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the of this gang." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers could gather together that I was able to avert another public Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Yes." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a room had already been engaged for us. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong or other trace. But how on earth--" my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at the date of his supposed suicide." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found heavily into it. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a Serpentine Avenue. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall it." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." enough to aid us in our search." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Then, how do you know?" "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. that threaten you." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood for and were ordered to this address. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the night.' said he. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of guilty parties." "Yes." "And on what day did he meet his death?" conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in it. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "What, then?" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "It is possible." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "What do you make of that, Watson?" time." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from extraordinary contortions. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it client, rising. Edgeware Road. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp chance at all." "Why did you beat the pavement?" was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but have an American origin." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to green of the new foliage. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with any little problem which you may submit to me." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at them, and came down just as you departed. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Pray tell us what has happened to you." do." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "I cannot think." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how shall not find me ungrateful." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' empty. have had none more fantastic than this." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to client, rising. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no beyond words. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those in him." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is tear off another piece?' results." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in in a friendly supper." was it brought him the coronet? fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "On the contrary, this is the right side." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Why serious?" platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Then you may be so with me." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Yes, there are nearly always some there." is worth.' up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, seven miles from Eyford Station.' himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly writing, and yet I know it well." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Heh?' prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. 'please.'" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you sound at heart." "Was your sister dressed?" flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little instincts rose up against that laugh. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "9th. McCauley cleared. appeal." about. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done entirely lost his self-respect." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have of your young ladies.' "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. you." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "The landlord of the Alpha." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "None." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "'Yes, I promise.' "Was she in good spirits?" do you make of it all?" pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat John Swain, of St. Augustine. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating in him." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "I think it very unlikely." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by charged with?" at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp seen the man in the road." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. his face which made him a very different person to the round, next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be unprecedented a position." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Yes, it was twisted." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Entirely." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But one's self under obligations.' fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" case before our client came into the room." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the key of the affair now." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right key of the affair now." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is hardly wander." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "I am sure."