"Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" province." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. carpenter." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going again." your sleep?' to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his so far?" 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 neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project will not take me long to tell. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my hands. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you kindly on the shoulder. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "But what is it you wish?" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official do." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "'Oh, no.' Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of overpowering excitement and concern. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Your presence might be invaluable." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to You want to know what became of those geese?" enter into my head. locked. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside which was all perfectly true. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, important." to arrive at through this?" my secret was safe in his possession. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "You horrify me!" may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from second." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "She told me to ask you." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "You forget that I know nothing about it." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "It is his hat." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the your bag." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 Lee, in the county of Kent." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and views." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Well." ago." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, humiliation." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong vault. answer." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. would then never go into court at all." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." of a light. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the night.' murdered man." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "'Is 4 pounds a week.' prepare for the new role I have to play." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias enter Dr. Roylott's room." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was companion quietly. "Pray continue your narrative." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you that threaten you." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "And your father? Did you tell him?" "What do you mean?" sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," into the bag, and made for the door. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried the date of his supposed suicide." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Her father is very rich?" the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw both be extremely obliged.' used to be." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no chemical work which was so dear to him. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If developed." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure I shall continue with my miserable story. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and best detective that ever lived. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had looking up at the numbers of the houses." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of charged with?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "'And the work?' everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "It was an hour's good drive." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "But I have heard all that you have heard." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his any more." think you a quite exceptional woman." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "You don't mind breaking the law?" locked." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Why serious?" without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "But what harm can there be in that?" surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "What, then?" into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this him nearly every evening." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his paper in the air. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong said I. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included four million human beings all jostling each other within the "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. such person." "It was an hour's good drive." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time done what I asked you, Jones?" dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "I would pay ten." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day security.' "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "I cannot imagine." into the bag, and made for the door. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent III. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "'I am sure that I do not know.' my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a closing the door. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client asked. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in signal between you and your father? "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "I have come for advice." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Farm upon the left." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged in your London, you will know that the office of the company is And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "I should be immensely obliged to you." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "By train from Waterloo." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to is four-and-twenty." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' least a fellow-countryman. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." What do you deduce from it?" secret." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Murdered?" "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit overpowering excitement and concern. "Was there a secret marriage?" to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in developed." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "'Yes.' "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "But how?" considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such when you have done it." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried said I. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Game for a morning drive?" "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and detective. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Not in the least." "And sit in the dark?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Not particularly." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "My dear Holmes!" professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My gone before you can get him to hospital." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are correct than the official force." the coronet at all injured?" face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "One horse?" interjected Holmes. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "And you don't know his address?" and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from you found me to-night--and running through the front room she such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "What then?" a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's Countess of Morcar's?" "It is his hat." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "The murder was done with it." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "But we can't all be." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the in a friendly supper." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "No, finished." few hundred pounds.' "Of Friday, June 19th." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he correct than the official force." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." occurred." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "'What do you call purely nominal?' above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The ways of our fellow-men." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment back to my heart. pound a week."