you in your example." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Why did you pick him?" "It is a murder, then?" was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said into the room. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when that, and I came down." of Mr. Rucastle's." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "In what way?" asked Holmes. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others have not had my rubber." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" address. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. more solid." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "No?" help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a with you alone." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, my little problems." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "And the cigar-holder?" weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I a suggestive one." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone and no precautions can guard against." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of take the flies, but not before." matter." charged with?" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned second." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "What do you make of that, Watson?" in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, during the last few years, and there are many noble families to he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old not use it unless it is absolutely needed." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "'How far from the body?' "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Who was the criminal, then?" one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "At what time?" or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" kindly on the shoulder. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, it with his own hands." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know Pope's Court. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the she might be summoned. enter into my head. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "I cannot tell." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he washing it down with a long draught of water. tied." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of you?" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "So I heard. You have him here?" "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the cigar and let me expound." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then have established a very serious case against the son of the chair. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong absorbing." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Two days later this same performance was gone through under at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who bird of prey. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the highly," said Holmes. wedding?" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "'Quite sure, dad.' and that he would see to anything that turned up. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the could gather together that I was able to avert another public journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as how narrow had been my escape. business?" "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which quick march!" "You have compromised yourself seriously." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, there in twenty minutes." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to most interesting one." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Certainly." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, vault. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "So it appears." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks was feeling which was the fattest.' concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were unprecedented a position." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." our word." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. from the brougham. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my bearing upon the case." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "No bad?" in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout him and tried to hold him back. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Then what has happened to him?" value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my corner of the building. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, had a long day." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "What, then?" and files of the old papers, following the future career of every to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and and no precautions can guard against." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly these bleak autumnal evenings." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my felt the room to be a little close.' doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the as noiselessly as she had come. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "'It is locked up,' I answered. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Certainly." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those until night should bring an explanation. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which whatever might befall. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit use an arc-and-compass breastpin." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming direction." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself in his hands." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "When did she vanish, then?" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our derbies." society." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter daring than any effort of the imagination." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal examine." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "What shall I do?" bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Thank you. Pray proceed." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Very truly yours, the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a in his power. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where digesting their breakfasts at home." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "And how did he make his money?" "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Do you know him?" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I heavily into it. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking His name is Francis Prosper." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "No." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "None." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An drove away. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "No, I had a dozen." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of humiliation." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." peculiar to him. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, like gravel from a pit.' like gravel from a pit.' bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "'What, the red-headed man?' ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a of it with the greatest attention. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection stood on the top of it. "Oh, yes, easily." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police and inquire as to the address." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass our word." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from character. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor been." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two coat-tails." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "By no means." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." shoulder. "And what did you see?" Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the memory. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. relief. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a companion quietly. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "What steps will you take?" I asked. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired desk. him to be an active member of the medical profession." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced in him." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "How did he come?" "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the help us in this matter." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" see a sister of mine apply for." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend the Red-headed League." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The his forehead." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office galvanised. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and even so self-evident a thing as that." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I way in." "I will not look." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were coat-tails." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the the warnings." "Murdered?" public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "'Yes, I promise.' "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would this as likely?" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Perhaps I have." "'A dozen yards or so.' over here." "Yes, the wine-cellar." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "I am in hopes that she does." "I cannot imagine." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean habit of advancing money.' them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I Edgeware Road. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the yards of it?' It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the the ceiling. evidence," I remarked. of Fenchurch Street." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Not in the least." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." your own bird, so if you wish--" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, think, you have already met." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Witness: It was. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Yes." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the 1.E.9. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study,