been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back of the one which your family is now devouring." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next of receipt of the work. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few to arrive at through this?" tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "No, I think that I'll take it." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and one's self under obligations.' States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Yes." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "No, finished." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he The King stared at him in amazement. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. mystery may be cleared along those lines." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "What office?" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an quickly through a disagreeable task. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Was there a secret marriage?" address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Your sister is dead, then?" This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Dark enough and sinister enough." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "How did you deduce the select?" geese which you supplied to the Alpha." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, business." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations Cross for the Continent." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "The Cedars?" to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a the little opening for the ventilator is." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this disturbance in my wife." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "What have you to say now?" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an Does that suggest anything?" See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you your bag." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Texas, I think." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was guilty parties." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "I think it very unlikely." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which been lifted and conveyed somewhere." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the tied." "Yes." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. of this gang." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Look there!" said he. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Ha! you find it so?" "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the that he will be back before evening." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" papers must be those that are destroyed.' "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a placed his cuttings. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "And how did you find out?" case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Yes, it would be as well." "And Miss Sutherland?" seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "I think that it is very probable." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been conceal it?" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "That is possible." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue populous neighbourhood." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my forbidden door. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding the bottom.' national property. I was determined that the law should have its "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his again, where I was soon asleep. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was floor. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far friends, not even his own brother. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. your sleep?' "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was six. Come in!" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in as yours." "And how?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, me." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in have one." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." to tackle the facts." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John little trying to do so much typewriting?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage most important business. It is probable that he will be away all order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. floor. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" as he remarks, very much against the son." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "What do you mean?" the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, in the hope of finding them." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will already referred to. "No." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different in the port of London." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' shag which I had seen upon the previous night. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a not interfere, come what may. You understand?" closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Yes?" behind me. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, danger is over." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "None." "'Stolen!' he cried. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "In answer to an advertisement." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country note?" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have them?" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Certainly." "'I shall certainly be there.' "No." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at very morning of my second wedding." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." McCarthy." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "I am in hopes that she does." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Yes." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. you do it in twenty minutes!' "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my and all of them with the keenest interest. which it had come upon my father." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "But what is it you wish?" public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "And on what day did he meet his death?" is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further have established a very serious case against the son of the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small so.' really the only notable feature about the thing." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. village inn over there?" "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "No. His orders were to stay in the house." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the said he at last. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but away into the river." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this national property. I was determined that the law should have its and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." more terrible than the truth. the warnings." present." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had stepfather?" "There is the writing." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, goes." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Then he might have called to you?" his fortune, and I went back to pa. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting definite end. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "I am still in the dark." "What is it, then--a fire?" "What have you to say now?" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "There is the writing." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and yet." burst out into a roar of laughter. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "What can it mean?" I gasped. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then confronted him. "To an English lawyer named Norton." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than highly," said Holmes. come either from the window or the door. My attention was the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that lost his Christmas dinner." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather Holmes' face clouded over. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I what these perils are?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, and that he would see to anything that turned up. light and attacked it." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. all?" I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were correct than the official force." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Oh, yes, easily." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us upon the shelf for the interim." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Was there a secret marriage?" last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "He slept on the premises." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, Does that suggest anything?" case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "'As governess?' chemical work which was so dear to him. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography he. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. one else, I think." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I take the flies, but not before." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been posted to-day." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father made him keep the appointment." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" room had already been engaged for us. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. in my life." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "On your arm?" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how strength." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect photograph?" "It is half-past ten now." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "There are none." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. the ceiling. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully fattened it expressly for you.' telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Yes." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' on re-entering her father's house?" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "It is solved." "Of what?" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was and the colonel ushered me in. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence will take you up to see the machine.' "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a husband's writing, madam." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous lips." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "To ruin me." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid that before taking the final step I should like to submit the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?"