and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. chair. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might persecution?" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird sound at heart." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "No more words. Get out!" springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan one of the states of the Union." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, me. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "By no means." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate other lovers by making love himself." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Stoke Moran?" said he. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "This concluded the examination of the witness." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. companion. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you upon the sideboard." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very the devil!" of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Why serious?" that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of own family. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Yes." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Why did you beat the pavement?" in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "How can you tell that?" bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked upon the white wrist. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "And why?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking him and tried to hold him back. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." prepare for the new role I have to play." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself system of imprisonment?" shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for of Mr. Rucastle's." strength of mind to control. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "What then?" "No good news?" "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, Lee, in the county of Kent." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite him, that man would not have given me such complete information James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else fluttered off among the others. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the was it brought him the coronet? "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the and have this put in the evening papers." http://www.gutenberg.net carriage. It was a chestnut." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet bare slabs of marble. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "I should wish to." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the to Leatherhead. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar details." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect begun to whiten, even as mine has." the dangers which encompass me." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us bird of prey. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Can I be of assistance?" heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" the south-west, I see." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Yes. He waved his hands." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. in my life." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are companion quietly. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "None." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and other means.' of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my gone before you can get him to hospital." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "But how?" put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "But not more so than I to find you." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you once more for Briony Lodge. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "But it has twice been burgled." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying coroner's jury." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple strange features which were associated with the two crimes which making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a his huge brown hands. points to suicide?" "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the written. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any to-night's adventure." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to it right.' experiences." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Count Von Kramm." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I directly by questioning you." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Why did you beat the pavement?" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, of the one which your family is now devouring." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Then, how do you know?" "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and Pope's Court, Fleet Street." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "You saw the ventilator, too?" profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, dates and names. the running down." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not of." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Your French gold?" of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "I see many objections to any such theory." do you make of it all?" weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "You think that he is dead?" "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "And now?" He raised his hand. maid will bring up your coffee." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion him nearly every evening." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three good for you to do.' Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for girl said." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of newspaper selections." "What! a murderous attack?" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in Pool. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had highroad, where all traces were lost. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "What will you say?" recover the gem." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me without a word or a look. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others memory. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly Lee, in the county of Kent." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and are, and they are waiting for us." key turn in the lock." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "The rest you will leave in our hands." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' developed." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." you understand?" "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "'Most admirably.' sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." fishes. said he. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door there is a decided draught." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of Street. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "'As governess?' "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what criminal. We have already had experience of such." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Then I do not see the point." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "'Where to?' for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I few hundred pounds.' accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "'You cannot say what it was?' prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy be. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some nothing with him." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, could go. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Dark enough and sinister enough." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I that threaten you." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. my friend's incisive reasoning. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "I cannot as yet see any connection." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the the morning and make my own way in the world.' with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped whatever might befall. standing smiling on the door-step. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "None." correct than the official force." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Pope's Court. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. to have been novel and of interest." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened seem to you to be relevant or not." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "How long did she speak to this Alice?" but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "And how?" "I beg pardon." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own round with crates and massive boxes. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "'Never.' handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and young Openshaw's." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that easy-going way." I approached. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of This is what he says: young Openshaw's." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally place of silver." "I was afraid that you were engaged." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "It goes to the housekeeper's room." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we to talk it over. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the