what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even what is your own theory as to what took place?" sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "I am in hopes that she does." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Was there a secret marriage?" Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Then how many are there?" some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be joking. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies or other trace. But how on earth--" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of forecastle of an emigrant ship. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the walking." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "I was certainly surprised to find you there." bare slabs of marble. Munro.' far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." matter over." "Where is it, then?" papers must be those that are destroyed.' would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" chamber." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "My private note-paper." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of weighed down with some great anxiety. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does together. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the the roots. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a fat-encircled eyes. side. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "What do you make of that, Watson?" investigation." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When simple cases which are so extremely difficult." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the and effective." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right again on its way. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "It is to him that this trophy belongs." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my horse could go." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was this truth that in these little records of our cases which you province." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and if I call to-morrow?" "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, burst into a hearty fit of laughter. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand quickly through a disagreeable task. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "What can you not understand?" "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on less than 26s. 4d. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of The telegram which we eventually received came late one night their singular warning or token before them when starting upon Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe ventilator." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "And on what day did he meet his death?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Dirty?" without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Yesterday." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always cigars in their mouths. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to not as remarkable as your advertisement." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had good-night and bustled off upon her way. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. Henry Baker is a member." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the hurried by. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he even so self-evident a thing as that." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in clang of the bell. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I think that he is innocent?" "Yes." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Who by?" blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has her also." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the would then never go into court at all." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with The police have openly confessed that they can at present make means taking possession of that which another person has a prior When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I so.' its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "And now?" He raised his hand. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside This is what he says: are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. enough to aid us in our search." how narrow had been my escape. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them whereabouts. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been until night should bring an explanation. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to of Fenchurch Street." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Was your sister dressed?" I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "And what then?" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a burst out into a roar of laughter. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Won't it ring?" outbreak?" "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. with some details as to your case." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears companion. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to made him keep the appointment." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a and the colonel ushered me in. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. disappearance of these gems?" some water from a caraffe. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "By no means." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady plantation.' Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" stepfather?" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was not, dad?" she asked. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "We have tried and failed." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, congenial hunt. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Yes, the wine-cellar." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "May I see it?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all Watson," he said cordially. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he used to be." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of charged with?" had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are villagers almost as much as their master. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little is," said he presently: It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "The best possible." success. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a the coroner come to?" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "No." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the both be extremely obliged.' "Thank you. Pray proceed." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of conversation I have gathered that they have been married about matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "9th. McCauley cleared. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the your only hope of safety." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the if she died from some sudden fright." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "The Cedars?" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "That is easily got." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and one or two very singular points about this room. For example, America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "What then?" of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. strode off upon his way. "What then?" had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. has little to do with my story." I shall communicate with you." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this in a very precise fashion." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "It goes to the housekeeper's room." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not amused." emerged. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; to go into your room and bar your shutters?" his wife has ceased to love him." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "But your client--" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten me." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent shall use the carriage to-night." is worth.' dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "That you are never beaten." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "None. Neville wrote those words." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "She walked into the breakfast-room." with her." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for believe that I should never have any practice at all. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Edgeware Road. ventilator." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing brandy and water within his reach. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the as the one I chose?' "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Well, it is a possible supposition." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, Mary, has deserted me." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Yes." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, it." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "'Where to?' it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I depend upon my doing so.' IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "What is it, then--a fire?" some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Oh, fresh and glossy." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her