fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the one's self under obligations.' the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute himself in a perplexing position. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have of the one which your family is now devouring." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the Pool. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly means taking possession of that which another person has a prior certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The you." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive third from London." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is outbreak?" She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for client, rising. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to fattened it expressly for you.' Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "The King of Scandinavia." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new you." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "It is a murder, then?" that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "You are certainly joking, Holmes." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Why did you pick him?" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "And you thought he was pulled back?" "But how could you guess what the motive was?" if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" My friend smiled. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the the devil!" "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press 1.E.9. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "But what harm can there be in that?" "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Nothing?" "And Irene Adler?" "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "And how did he make his money?" sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he had no one to advise her at such a crisis." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of there!' has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Your presence might be invaluable." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. himself to tell his story. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not meant." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as http://gutenberg.net/license). think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a to his chemical studies. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to and prosperity to your house. Good-night." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom tail." "What do you make of that, Watson?" The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to just called myself is not exactly my own." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from Sutherland?" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until security.' conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here was a loud and authoritative tap. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. happened." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point strong reason behind." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him fait accompli?" have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me tension within him. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "'As governess?' gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "To the police?" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no my special province." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried companion. followed. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and Clair, of Lee." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us Cross for the Continent." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: was feeling which was the fattest.' plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my records." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled possible that we could bring him back to her? very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an new acquaintance to Baker Street. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make thin legs towards the fire. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Can I be of assistance?" travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his nothing with him." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the the stable lane now." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing likely to be some crony of the landlady's." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" prison!" characteristics, but those are the more obvious." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal The King stared at him in amazement. exactly what you advise." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been answered with a sidelong glance. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I as noiselessly as she had come. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with of." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: a suggestive one." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Yes, sir." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have which our visitor detailed to us. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to husband's writing, madam." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far made his money." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "You think so, too?" weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among conceal it?" offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' of the way of danger. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a standing smiling on the door-step. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I breakfast?" should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned copied or distributed: gone. know all about it," he snarled. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions forehead. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke bare slabs of marble. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "I see no marks." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you confronted him. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Really! You surprise me." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been begun to whiten, even as mine has." is now desirous of getting those letters back." forbidden door. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand time." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank might have a private word with us. "Married! When?" a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "My Mary? Impossible!" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was late." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Not particularly." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, in this way: bore every mark of being an average commonplace British has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, seen the man in the road." despaired of." soul! here is her carriage at the door." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United during that time.' "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "It is solved." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking always that they were such commands as a lady might with I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be Mrs. Toller serenely. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." shoulder. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. to-night." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "I am to be neutral?" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Your presence might be invaluable." burst out into a roar of laughter. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Oh, yes, easily." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in the best of training." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe answer." "Quite so. She has her freedom." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the over with notes and figures. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come giving me time to thank him. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Not I." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came indeed happy." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable the window, rose as we entered. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "That sounds a little paradoxical." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and compunction about shooting them down." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not green of the new foliage. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "It is no ordinary one." leave you to your papers for a little." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive throat." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Witness: Nothing definite. walking." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Yes, sir." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "What steps will you take?" I asked. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's London for the present?" secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had will not take me long to tell. the King without delay." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your quickly through a disagreeable task. has little to do with my story." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" than was visible to me." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of