stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" address. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of weigh very heavily upon my conscience." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Then what has happened to him?" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking the roots. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a frequently gained my first real insight into the character of probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the any." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "You have but to name it." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached unprecedented a position." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, pierced for earrings?" "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. any." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Why? What do you mean?" of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very point in the dark hollow of his hand. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in your Highness to the police-station?" "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that when you have done it." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than entirely lost his self-respect." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. mysterious business." posted to-day." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen You can understand that this register and diary may implicate fact, we may call it conclusive." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my ourselves in the office." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for to miss it." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, me have 200 pounds?' "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, cigars in their mouths. like gravel from a pit.' he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction spare." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "So it appears." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "I will not look." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. in him." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the goes." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a evidence," I remarked. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present them present such singular features as the strange train of - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "'Certainly not. But why?' "What then?" "'Which dealer's?' spare." a room. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Is he quiet?" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "And Irene Adler?" "You have but to name it." "Then what has happened to him?" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little once more. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of your most interesting statement." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this assist you in forming an opinion." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "No good news?" number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "So I am. Very much so." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: to Leatherhead. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a congratulate you again." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "I will do it." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable fattened it expressly for you.' more terrible than the truth. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his hurried away. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like train.' and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt man. I know him from the photograph." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to see me here to avoid scandal." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "But what is it you wish?" "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Were they all fastened this morning?" hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight morning." of." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, there!' course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "I will try. What is it?" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a into her hand at the door and which lured her within their am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not the Friday. Was it to be in church?" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Chief Executive and Director whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the fattened it expressly for you.' "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "My opinion is in no way altered." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her acquaintance?" without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "What office?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a green of the new foliage. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about straighten it?" course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "You forget that I know nothing about it." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go your co-operation." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a meant." people in all walks of life. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter rat could hardly pass through." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Never." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "I have solved it." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "You have but to name it." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair have established a very serious case against the son of the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" companion. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: the station." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You and have this put in the evening papers." fattened it expressly for you.' which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your roused himself from his reverie. wanted for ourselves." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "No, but the enclosure is." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "My own seal." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Married! When?" you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater was a perfect sample of the class. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is followed. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "You horrify me!" by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "A confidential servant?" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid were unconscious?" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, compunction about shooting them down." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the that the gas is not laid on in his house?" miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that fire. You quite follow me?" that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and to-morrow." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your British peeress.'" asked with his eyes open. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of what I may call a really hard day's work." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "I cannot tell." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch instituted." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my mystery!" with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a think, you have already met." pressing in one house as in another. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "No." "An enemy?" the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "A greater distance to travel." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were throat." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "No." was it brought him the coronet? so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "I say that I have solved it." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property politicians who had been sent down from the North. deduce something from that?" hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "Yes?" 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have to me. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be