"Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, and have this put in the evening papers." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Not yet." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "I don't say that. Perhaps." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "You have but to name it." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "And I say east," said my patient. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than security.' for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many tension within him. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked For additional contact information: qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination the stones. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "To an end?" "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide visitors." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" gone. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a is now desirous of getting those letters back." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "At what time?" which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "And how?" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "By train from Waterloo." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of instituted." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those annoyance, but no jest. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "'How far from the body?' in him." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of look upon these things in a different way." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Why, it's a dummy," said he. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and thin, with a long, sharp nose?" eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against chambers. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' handed it to him. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "He is dead," cried several voices. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean way in." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence telegram would bring me down to your help." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "ARAT," I read. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. suspect him." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal leaning back in his chair. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "And you thought he was pulled back?" suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most without success. At last the little money which I had saved began only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side over part of the map. "What do you read?" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is thin, with a long, sharp nose?" own family. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "You were travelling in the States?" what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate chair. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "May I see it?" of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Murdered?" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did that he will be back before evening." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Not him." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "It must be recovered." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the indeed happy." could not have written that. It is the German who is so self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the look dissatisfied." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him whole matter to your consideration." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "To the police?" hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the reach." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All see me here to avoid scandal." "Yes." in his hands." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Certainly." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the there is a decided draught." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I closely." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings golden eyeglasses. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "About a month then." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" pressing in one house as in another. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "No." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your to a more successful conclusion." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face man. I know him from the photograph." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for Have you good authority for what you say?" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made highroad, where all traces were lost. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how this as likely?" broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "No, I had a dozen." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them least a most suspicious remark." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he about. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the him and tried to hold him back. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Nothing?" friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. which was all perfectly true. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles intrusion of other matters." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry into her hand at the door and which lured her within their story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "No sign of it?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Come in!" said he. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "I answered that I had not. look dissatisfied." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, giving me time to thank him. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this least a most suspicious remark." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which when your master had gone out." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Could he throw no light?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Absolutely none." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to absorbing." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under whereabouts. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." humiliation." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Yes." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate chance." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you never came back." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary possible that we could bring him back to her? "I beg pardon." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the troubles have been weighing upon his mind. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Breckinridge is his name." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Yes, it would be as well." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He page at http://pglaf.org Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it noting anything else of interest. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "In what way?" asked Holmes. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered of his shoulders. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "'I am sure that I do not know.' standing smiling on the door-step. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he way: locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed returning from some small jollification and was making his way was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, them present such singular features as the strange train of charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all hands. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "No, I think that I'll take it." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." affair. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really of Fenchurch Street." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the open." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by suspect him." and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is if only as a check to my own memory." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he him to be an active member of the medical profession." was a perfect sample of the class. that you wished to speak to me?' little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come I shall communicate with you." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting detective. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported the devil!" awaited us upon the table. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Nor running a chance of arrest?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" with frightened eyes at his accuser. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "What office?" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have bell. Holmes whistled. "'Ten to two.' "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed writer." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in burst into a hearty fit of laughter. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some plantation.' his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." daring than any effort of the imagination." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose security.' each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Then he might have called to you?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Yes, they were peculiar boots." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Thank you. And your address?" inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few chair. His smile broadened. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The people don't know." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, where Mr. Fordham shows you.' she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "ARAT," I read. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the main points of my analysis." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss girl said." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "You think that he is dead?" Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital