Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his back alive. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Indeed! Whose, then?" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Lee, in the county of Kent." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather been able to understand it, in a very few words. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. long narrative. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set and the colonel ushered me in. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, unclasping of his long thin hands. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so observed. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, client, rising. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low wall." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have gigantic client. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock way: tell him that I know him to be innocent." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "You horrify me." make me his representative both with the servants and with the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just nonsense.' you." "I am to be neutral?" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in clang of the bell. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are thin, with a long, sharp nose?" beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Very truly yours, what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his something of him before." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just client, rising. "No good news?" an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "What! a murderous attack?" "And now?" I asked. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a closing the door. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Farm upon the left." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "No, thank goodness, she did not." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself will take you up to see the machine.' mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had was a lad." "The vanishing of the lady." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took examine." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Yes." some city in a dream. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few of campaign. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, soul! here is her carriage at the door." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the breakfast?" five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying and inquire as to the address." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds leave you to your papers for a little." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was room?" he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "No." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. had this final quarrel? said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had them, and came down just as you departed. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts DISSOLVED. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many Munro.' the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "'As governess?' "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? humiliation." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that awkward doing business with an alias." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. yet." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "But the mystery?" beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "I am sure." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who round with crates and massive boxes. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the front of me. young Openshaw's." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a is a common subject for conversation. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "And it is--" The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. crowd. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, young Openshaw's." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the best detective that ever lived. certainly do as you advise." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double ceremony." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Then what has happened to him?" "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. business came to an end." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the where we are going." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting followed. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "To an end?" to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between papers on the sundial.'" where we are going." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Certainly, madam." interested in these little problems, and since you are good "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "'Where to?' to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Deserted you?" over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "'Certainly not.' so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course bare slabs of marble. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. disturbance in my wife." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and waste of energy." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to manager. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second Leave Paddington by the 11:15." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was front of the hall door has given its name to the place. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was think, you have already met." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "By train from Waterloo." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some been." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of help us in this matter." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "But to whom?" like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I the stable lane now." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that IS for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Yes." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and good for you to do.' with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" during which he might have communicated with his friend the "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is when your master had gone out." sake, don't!" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "'Most admirably.' This is what he says: sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Yes, that is the Crown." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if sufficient punishment." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our a monotonous occupation." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under danger is over." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Yes, it would be as well." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up some water from a caraffe. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "What can it mean?" I gasped. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "The murder was done with it." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only purpose of examination. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I happened." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; passage and a tap at the door. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely bird of prey. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "A thing like a cleaver," said he. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." depend upon my doing so.' building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' name is different." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Upon what point?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been strong reason behind." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "It is possible." "By all means." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Then you may entirely rely on me." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Deserted you?" girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a Pope's Court, Fleet Street." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my once more. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, the Friday. Was it to be in church?" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of the very letters. But what is this written above them?' tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each allusion to a rat. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the spare." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "'Yes, it was gone.' old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." the so-precious time, but come!' "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I when you have done it." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a conceal it?" connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, again, where I was soon asleep. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "No more words. Get out!" directors, with the result that you have seen." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the until night should bring an explanation. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is me what he had done with the three missing stones. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he