"Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two open." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Stolen, then." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." depend upon your compliance." "By train from Waterloo." works. See paragraph 1.E below. "What, then, did Peterson do?" see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." and wait." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and the loss of it. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by done what I asked you, Jones?" stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, http://www.gutenberg.net furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless from you?" you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have works. See paragraph 1.E below. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Of what day?" had picked up in the wood. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "I cannot imagine." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty vague figure huddled up in the darkness. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "My stepfather's business papers." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Yes." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant daring than any effort of the imagination." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose character. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action other lovers by making love himself." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed thirty. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions persecution?" "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a colonel looking down at me. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United to his chemical studies. business matters.' animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." me where it went to?" "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do chill to my heart. "Then I shall certainly come." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we not, dad?" she asked. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, look dissatisfied." Clair, of Lee." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on hopeless attempt at recovering them." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in that the gas is not laid on in his house?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Because he was handy and would come cheap." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." charge against him will break down." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any true." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." one's self under obligations.' letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know closing the door. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. DISSOLVED. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" call the police, let the police find what they can.' called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, that threaten you." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "No legal papers or certificates?" despair." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said detained." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "And the cigar-holder?" pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as careless servant girl?" it." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Look there!" said he. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he do.' could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to your sleep?' thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. The King stared at him in amazement. "Imitated." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses dramatic, in fact." Serpentine Avenue. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Very murderous indeed." charge against him will break down." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "What, then?" charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of was lame." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was never came back." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were respectable self." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "So I am. Very much so." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess acted in my house last night?" hardly wander." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "That is not always so easy." cost them two and thirty pounds." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. just called myself is not exactly my own." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and garden below. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of your sleep?' Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope page at http://pglaf.org silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if clang of the bell. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly too. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "No." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself article?" reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "And how did you find out?" "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and http://gutenberg.net/license). did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. what I may call a really hard day's work." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, even so self-evident a thing as that." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "You have a clue?" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, front of me. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever any more." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned 1.E.9. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "But you have hopes?" platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "'I am sure if I had known--' least a most suspicious remark." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Tired-looking or fresh?" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence crowd. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Did he not advertise?" an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB useful material for showing traces. The double line a little has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was the Assizes." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "And you can do nothing until then?" three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is awkward doing business with an alias." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project considering the formidable letters which were received by himself helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no sneer upon his pale face. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary Edgeware Road. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "You saw the ventilator, too?" intrusion of other matters." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face Cross for the Continent." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards there has been an enclosure here!" my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house green of the new foliage. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a paper in the air. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent crime." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his things are very often connected not with the larger but with the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a ordinary clothes on?" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I chill to my heart. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." compunction about shooting them down." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. evidence," I remarked. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to train from Paddington which would bring you there at about had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards ashen face. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and respectable self." the Assizes." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "In San Francisco, a year ago." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late the station." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I into the room. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. colonel looking down at me. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of do.' acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Not him." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "May I see it?" hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she Sutherland. "Tired-looking or fresh?" fishes. be. this man was intellectual?" planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. married her." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in wife's character?" took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I dates and names. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed.