We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a lamp. Foundation surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive searched, without anything being found which could incriminate horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of one which it was hard to resist. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. was lame." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, his cane at the bell-pull. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by copied or distributed: "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "A client, then?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of crime. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after to affect your life." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Stolen, then." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Stoke Moran." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Could he throw no light?" downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been fish-monger and a tide-waiter." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting system of imprisonment?" "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "It was." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "You are all wrong." as yours." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he upon a handsome competence. "I shall most certainly do so." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in breakfast?" time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited them, and came down just as you departed. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, lectures into a series of tales." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would the coroner come to?" will not take me long to tell. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," you want, then?' charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and careless servant girl?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Well." of a light. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his call it cruel." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a walking." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." works. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Why serious?" he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "The decline of his fortunes, then?" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, allusion to a rat. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid companion. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six Holmes' room. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Then I am your man." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection village inn over there?" "Here?" night.' said he. four million human beings all jostling each other within the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "To the police?" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Have you her photograph?" "On your arm?" "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "In which, sir?" fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the married her." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones strength in the others." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "'I am sure if I had known--' I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their all that?" "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "'Certainly,' I answered. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "So I am. Very much so." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that other means.' immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "I was mad--insane." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a said I. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to question," said Holmes, smiling. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us quickly through a disagreeable task. tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "A client, then?" lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Clair, of Lee." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had My friend smiled. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to in a friendly supper." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "No, distinctly professional." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and asked with his eyes open. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in the ceiling. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he them, and came down just as you departed. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Which are?" and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as question," said Holmes, smiling. the loss of it. matters immensely." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project that you wished to speak to me?' benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, on re-entering her father's house?" and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the late!' the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, Holmes' room. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. examine." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he and laid it on the table. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "I see no marks." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a comes from the middle window." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our not interfere, come what may. You understand?" been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "I think that it is very probable." it. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, wedding?" *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and said he. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had derbies." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to that I am arrested." to me. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked His name is Francis Prosper." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little might help us?" hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "It is no ordinary one." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" ashen face. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend of fine shops and stately business premises that they really southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. where we are going." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this she might be summoned. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be matter over." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as notes," he said. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "And why in hopes?" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah second." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "He disappeared so suddenly." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the might help us?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then trying to your nerves." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "It's nothing of the kind." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Pray tell us what has happened to you." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in you want, then?' "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Then I shall certainly come." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." correct than the official force." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see the morning and make my own way in the world.' jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where distance from the station, and there we found the young lady painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "But of what society?" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have just called myself is not exactly my own." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.