"'I shall certainly be there.' Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned happened." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few married her." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "'Oh, no.' Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was details should find their way into the papers. Inspector paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain strength of mind to control. already referred to. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was strength in the others." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." him!" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "And why?" "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and you do it in twenty minutes!' first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "'Yes, it was gone.' hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any out." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not and that he would see to anything that turned up. "I answered that I had not. shoulder; "he's all right." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, was not a bird to be seen there. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "I will try. What is it?" "'In my own bureau.' over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room returning from some small jollification and was making his way one of the states of the Union." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Then how many are there?" "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this was keenly on my guard against him. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took DISSOLVED. beg that you will break it off." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last noble correspondent could be. are windows in it, of course?" "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. south, for the country is more deserted there." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "My private note-paper." whether it answered to the description of any of their those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE in this way: clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his room. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of occurred." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots sparkled upon his finger. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your union?" fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Then I shall certainly come." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no in the dead of the night?' that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that acquaintance?" hour?' "What shall I do?" lectures into a series of tales." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "And your mother is alive?" I held the little printed slip to the light. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "What then?" asked with his eyes open. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and returned to France?" very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "Entirely." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official DISSOLVED. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped little trying to do so much typewriting?" suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "How long did she speak to this Alice?" fattened it expressly for you.' back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would know all about it," he snarled. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "It came here." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous your equipment. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British the best of training." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two will he say when he returns?" Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I Farm upon the left." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself Again Holmes raved in the air. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a best detective that ever lived. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of appeared upon the scene." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose jewels which you have stolen?' building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier suspect him." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. is," said he presently: out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to in his hands." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." were wasted." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you congenial hunt. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. meant it for the best. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I pity, because in other respects you would really have done very all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that as he folded up the epistle. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the father's young wife. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at whereabouts. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. excitement. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Proceed, then." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, voice. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for this Miss Turner." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though key of the affair now." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned stood on the top of it. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "I say it is." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will that the gas is not laid on in his house?" to a more successful conclusion." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, I was concerned in it." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was prepare for the new role I have to play." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may The events in question occurred in the early days of my fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the the dangers which encompass me." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the there." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Come in!" said he. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Yes, at the mines." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "At the wedding breakfast." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "You are hungry," I remarked. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened infinite languor in his face. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his conceal it?" John Swain, of St. Augustine. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "To an end?" fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, which are rolled in Rotterdam." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the that there was nothing in it, after all." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is know what is wrong with it.' present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a so far?" myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening power." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached of campaign. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I bearing upon the case." III. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used possible that we could bring him back to her? or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the closely." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Ha! you find it so?" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Yes." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "And that is--" "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my one's self under obligations.' developed." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Very well, sir. And this stone?" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "'What would be the hours?' I asked. a little more before I quite committed myself. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord thirty. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "You have the photograph?" faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some of." "Well." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, good-night and bustled off upon her way. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "I will do it." not as remarkable as your advertisement." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, depend upon your compliance." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, presume?" lips." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "'There is a drive, then?' furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Holmes' room. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Why did you beat the pavement?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' is," said he presently: "And how did you verify them?" money should be paid at once.' ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly least a fellow-countryman. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "I promise," said Holmes. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Entirely." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Perhaps I have." had formerly been in part my own. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and of the efforts of the United States government and of the better of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "It is solved." only touch the interest." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "'I shall certainly be there.' journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: your most interesting statement." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "'Yes, I promise.' "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely held up the lantern and gazed about him. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the one's self under obligations.' acquaintance?" fled together." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing way in." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Entirely." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was grasp, he hurried from the room. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the very old mansion. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "What can you not understand?" the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I touch that coronet?' least a fellow-countryman. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Nothing." "By no means." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would where Mr. Fordham shows you.' the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with villagers almost as much as their master. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest