"Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Your presence might be invaluable." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly them present such singular features as the strange train of "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "How long did she speak to this Alice?" cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should important." remarked. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple forbidden door. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic exactly what you advise." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear knowledge of the world." this man was intellectual?" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do jewels which you have stolen?' will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Yes." "Very much so." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the papers diligently of late, have you not?" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "No. What a strange idea!" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. brain must have something in it." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, any little problem which you may submit to me." than was visible to me." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such thin legs towards the fire. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "I should be immensely obliged to you." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "And how in the world did you find them?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way chamber." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Why did you beat the pavement?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a cost them two and thirty pounds." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE electronic works to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply call the police, let the police find what they can.' "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, daring than any effort of the imagination." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Yes, from Horsham." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "You have it, sir, just as it happened." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "And did you observe any change in her then?" them present such singular features as the strange train of the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under as he folded up the epistle. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some guilty parties." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "And how did you find out?" I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and London for the present?" IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid know that the truth is known." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, been." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell obstinate." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. face and glided from the room. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Never." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' strength of mind to control. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as a little more before I quite committed myself. cup of tea. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a retorted upon me, and I on you." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty the south-west, I see." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Pray continue your narrative." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose the side-table." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "But of what society?" black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Who by?" written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to way in everything. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the shoulder; "he's all right." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then seven miles from Eyford Station.' you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every retorted upon me, and I on you." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "It may not come to that," said Holmes. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest said I. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Farm upon the left." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. key turn in the lock." happened." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Pray do so." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm nonsense.' "From his hat?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "But your client--" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, appointment with me for six o'clock?" have accepted such a situation. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a weigh very heavily upon my conscience." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." feature." "What will you say?" "Stolen." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my The telegram which we eventually received came late one night one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a visitors." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution photograph a cabinet?" Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez chill to my heart. advice." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking right! Sit down and let us talk it over." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." from the brougham. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "It surprised me." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about me, and I could not think that his explanation of the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so whatever might befall. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a what I may call a really hard day's work." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very way in." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I my former friend and companion. the salesman. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have colour had been driven from his face. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "My dear Holmes!" and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old charged with?" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must your sleep?' cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. as he folded up the epistle. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" Gutenberg-tm License. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' deduce something from that?" an introduction to him?" that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the Lestrade of Scotland Yard." ordinary clothes on?" a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "By train from Waterloo." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, were new raised from a basin. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an acted in my house last night?" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and one which it was hard to resist. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as locked." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then to that open window." "I beg pardon." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "You heard nothing yourself last night?" cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! was already answered. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He should be taken.' laugh and put his lips to my ear. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. colour had been driven from his face. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest events, Mr. Windibank!" young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that in this way: Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in country, and eventually married, without anyone having a deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, weighed down with some great anxiety. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "And leave your case unfinished?" "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so other lovers by making love himself." "'I shall certainly be there.' reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "He might." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "And that is--" them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his here and I will read it to you: and shall probably return to London by the evening train." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and held up the lantern and gazed about him. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, chance." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the coat-tails." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Thank you. Pray proceed." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "And Irene Adler?" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the other means.' battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "What can you not understand?" Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to any little problem which you may submit to me." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "But the mystery?" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too criminal. We have already had experience of such." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt had a long day." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, them, and came down just as you departed. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a entirely devoid of interest." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is Holmes' thin, eager face. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. unprecedented a position." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled have established a very serious case against the son of the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "I am armed." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest Foundation the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the strength." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. bonnet, and went out." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Yes, but only for you and me." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "'Is 4 pounds a week.' everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and the little opening for the ventilator is." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "And now?" I asked. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had ways of our fellow-men." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being written, and locked the door of the office after me.