family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The chambers. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few chance." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite is acting for the best. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Mary, has deserted me." shall use the carriage to-night." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Here?" had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Very. But will he see it?" ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Of what?" was not a bird to be seen there. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut photograph a cabinet?" "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "You are hungry," I remarked. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I manager. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than better in every way that they should make their position a little the iron safe, which he closed upon it. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "I saw her in conversation with her maid." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the help us in this matter." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he your billet.' held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled or other trace. But how on earth--" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you the coronet at all injured?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from delirious. into the bag, and made for the door. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "We must sit without light. He would see it through the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I London for the present?" fish-monger and a tide-waiter." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips it." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water province." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Seven!" I answered. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free one of the states of the Union." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. the coronet at all injured?" slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about is entirely a question of barometric pressure." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" were unconscious?" imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, your troubles." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to hands. affection." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "I see no marks." gone. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was http://www.gutenberg.net very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always of." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home threw himself down with his face to the pillow. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding mysterious end." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Munro.' When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very conversation I have gathered that they have been married about and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way been." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "I was afraid that you were engaged." it means?" harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long your troubles." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "It is half-past ten now." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where results." chance at all." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which was used.' have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in said he, "my real name is James Ryder." charge against him will break down." there in twenty minutes." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, know what is wrong with it.' Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "He disappeared so suddenly." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able six. Come in!" Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You second." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these photograph?" in his hands." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to one of the states of the Union." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official opened the door, and slipped through. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may bill, which interests me deeply." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers our word." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This swore that no one else had been in the front room during the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Very truly yours, "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "'Entirely.' "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "But I am all in the dark." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, suddenly upon us." be there in time for your coming." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "Precisely." shoulder; "he's all right." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most me upon any point which I do not make clear." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "And how?" fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like companion. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "'Then let me do so?' Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat invisible to me," I remarked. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever tear off another piece?' were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may vague figure huddled up in the darkness. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and straighten it?" "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to important." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are locked. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no in this note: arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "What, then?" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his test if we have an answer to our advertisement." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" address. is worth.' dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "'I shall certainly be there.' safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, could not account in any way for the presence of the missing His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those sake, don't!" once more to my work. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "That's no good." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. green of the new foliage. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, a very grave face. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual most important business. It is probable that he will be away all firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Absolutely?" then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers there was no need for father to know." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "We must sit without light. He would see it through the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' of the one which your family is now devouring." one else, I think." "Certainly." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "VIOLET HUNTER." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "And it is--" never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, relief. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built http://www.gutenberg.net Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "So I am. Very much so." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the persecution?" trying to your nerves." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have to talk it over. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told how narrow had been my escape. "Yes." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was companion. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "'I am sure if I had known--' "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "But you have hopes?" whole matter to your consideration." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or said he. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner remarked. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "No." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "One of the highest in England." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. this as likely?" as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "No, finished." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll and shall probably return to London by the evening train." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in I nodded again. "'It is locked up,' I answered. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all done what I asked you, Jones?" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "On the contrary, this is the right side." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. and your relations to her." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's eavesdroppers?' sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my his fortune, and I went back to pa. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Then I am your man." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited people don't know." instituted." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, foot. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of he died? Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "How did he come?" "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "On Monday." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I mysterious business." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "I see many objections to any such theory." companion. bachelor.' IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Yes, that is the Crown." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "'What would be the hours?' I asked. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." eat it." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "I will do it." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "You are certainly joking, Holmes."