"Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "And I." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Tired-looking or fresh?" "But she will refuse." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his train from Paddington which would bring you there at about they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at strong reason behind." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Not social, then?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "It is to him that this trophy belongs." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "A call for help, you thought?" waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the figure." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Nothing." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in sake, don't!" them?" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the compunction about shooting them down." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "Why serious?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." not, dad?" she asked. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always the night.' "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. three of the beryls in it, was missing. "But his lameness?" "Yes, certainly." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it presented more singular features than that which was associated horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by giving me time to thank him. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly these bleak autumnal evenings." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "How did you trace it, then?" Countess of Morcar's?" stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she this Miss Turner." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to that you can jump it.' "But how?" "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It and prosperity to your house. Good-night." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "When did she vanish, then?" the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to it. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in conduct the inquiry." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of least a most suspicious remark." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call that, and I came down." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. call you and give you the chance." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of upon the white wrist. be sorry for having acted so harshly." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I which are rolled in Rotterdam." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He to affect your life." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them and looked back. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among everything which you would wish to know." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "And on what day did he meet his death?" "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "The landlord of the Alpha." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "The rest you will leave in our hands." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! respectable self." laugh and put his lips to my ear. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never your co-operation." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ overpowering excitement and concern. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Bought." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler in a friendly supper." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock III. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It if I call to-morrow?" "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His me where it went to?" shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of 1.F. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" imbecility!" he cried. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean or in danger--" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "And why in hopes?" and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "No. What a strange idea!" for securing the situation." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a and looked back. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story shall not find me ungrateful." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I easy-going way." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. that he will be back before evening." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched You can understand that this register and diary may implicate the devil!" a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "None." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "But I am all in the dark." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to to have been novel and of interest." "It certainly sounds feasible." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of do.' British peeress.'" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." disappearance of the bride.'" "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "What then?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him During two years I have had three consultations and one small "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I her also." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps the address that was given us in the advertisement. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I ceremony." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "You think that he is dead?" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "And what did you learn from him?" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit wedding?" "And how did you verify them?" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of I am not easy in my mind about them." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Why? What do you mean?" free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home married her." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Perfectly so." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "And your mother is alive?" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and business." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that in this note: of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them unprecedented a position." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a affection." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you hands. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled formed some opinion?" "One of the highest in England." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' upon an income of about 60 pounds." It may be so in this case, also." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was him to go away.' outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and along the entire front of the house, with three long windows together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the down from London to inquire more deeply into it." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "It is true that I have been generally successful." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Yes, sir." the window, rose as we entered. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing strength of mind to control. himself to tell his story. "It came here." Does that suggest anything?" learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "None. Neville wrote those words." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to disappearance of the bride.'" step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the you, my dear young lady?' severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." very morning of my second wedding." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors or other trace. But how on earth--" "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." exactly what you advise." been deceived." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "And why?" bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "'Most admirably.' status with the IRS. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have garden below. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not occupations.' small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Well, but China?" as the one I chose?' "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof for securing the situation." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of pictures, libraries, or plate. easy-going way." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Never." "Precisely." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was more solid." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Very murderous indeed." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "My stepfather's business papers." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just my room." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." house for five minutes.' one's self under obligations.' upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "'Oh, no.' the Red-headed League." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off locked." that child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. to-night?' "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "You are hungry," I remarked. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Murdered?" lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been lumber-room." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the conceal it?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "On your arm?" fuss that is made over them." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Awake, Watson?" he asked. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it