pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Yes, sir." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "What office?" door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by of the efforts of the United States government and of the better All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in had picked up in the wood. once more to my work. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the your troubles." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" together. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, least a most suspicious remark." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "I will try. What is it?" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. taking in every detail of the apartment. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with comes from the middle window." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "It looks newer than the other things?" "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if do." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the information in his hands the value of which he did not himself made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his highly," said Holmes. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. society." the stones. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" back to my heart. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." narrative." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at individual and becomes the badge of a society." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Clair, of Lee." "Well." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Again Holmes raved in the air. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with Street. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." enough to aid us in our search." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do your most interesting statement." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." said he. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." Holmes." nothing with him." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the words came to my lips. point in the dark hollow of his hand. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you your sleep?' "'Where to?' glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country the Red-headed League." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. the roots. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "'And what salary do you ask?' "Yesterday." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little one of the states of the Union." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to fasten all the windows?" from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Murdered?" bears upon the case?" "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew once more on the important position which you have been fortunate which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "It came here." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon begun to whiten, even as mine has." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "No." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Munro.' that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and the stones. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried which we had just quitted. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes and laid it on the table. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." colonel looking down at me. placed his cuttings. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running guilty parties." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance official police." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "But to whom?" a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built kindly on the shoulder. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's before, for it was considerably after midnight. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "We have tried and failed." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Has he come with you to-night?" and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "And I." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic could go. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Certainly." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King During two years I have had three consultations and one small "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you round with crates and massive boxes. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "I will not look." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable formed some opinion?" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "He might." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted hurried by. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm I shall continue with my miserable story. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous yourselves in at night?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. such person." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New be sorry for having acted so harshly." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' individual and becomes the badge of a society." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but I approached. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. in my life." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my crackling voice. "What do you make of that, Watson?" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "'What do you call purely nominal?' crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "By all means." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at leave you to your papers for a little." The King stared at him in amazement. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And of his shoulders. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "The rest you will leave in our hands." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black detective. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the that plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "The rest you will leave in our hands." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "You are all wrong." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall dear old homesteads?" Holmes." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which the stones. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "What office?" shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "And your father? Did you tell him?" lumber-room." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? meanly of me." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a The King stared at him in amazement. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left used to be." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its make me his representative both with the servants and with the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the now. It seems that there had been some informality about their became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" advice." his grey eyes. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with this unhappy family?" "'I have already given you my word.' observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I over his head with a sweet womanly caress. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Then you may be so with me." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked stood on the top of it. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general awkward doing business with an alias." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "But he might be a bachelor." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "I cannot tell." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and London for the present?" fishes. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage see a sister of mine apply for." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' call for it in person on Monday morning.' have accepted such a situation. "I was sure that I might rely on you." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that out." breakfast." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to her also." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Foundation "No more words. Get out!" have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present to tackle the facts." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every think, you have already met." standing smiling on the door-step. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a chill to my heart. whole matter to your consideration." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Nothing." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "And from a noble client?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a crackling voice. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in the coronet in his hands?" "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about any more." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional an introduction to him?" the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his in a friendly supper." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper seen the man in the road." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured galvanised. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman through." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself would then never go into court at all." "But what is it you wish?" copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle have accepted such a situation. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through three of the beryls in it, was missing. "I have seen the police." emerged. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "And you don't know his address?" Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their chance." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a lost his Christmas dinner." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Yes, certainly." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must crime. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons into the bag, and made for the door. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the