morning." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own habit of advancing money.' "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "What are they?" safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence of campaign. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Precisely." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered such person." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "I was afraid that you were engaged." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have very old mansion. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "None." I took the paper from him and read as follows: The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who placed his cuttings. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these thirty. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' returning from some small jollification and was making his way grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." future lives." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" eat it." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' the matter." which it had come upon my father." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my you understand?" "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I himself to tell his story. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this congenial hunt. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "And that is--" meanly of me." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "My photograph." tail." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help way in everything. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind it right.' dear old homesteads?" my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for more solid." night.' said he. where we are going." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has shag which I had seen upon the previous night. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. companion imperturbably. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four particular state visit http://pglaf.org "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "A confidential servant?" had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "You have compromised yourself seriously." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask even of instruction." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over some terrible trap for her." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. his huge brown hands. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his been with you?" tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "'Certainly,' I answered. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Your French gold?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Well?" Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "My dear Holmes!" TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "I am to be neutral?" before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such of Fenchurch Street." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, of a light. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering begin with, and I had not got mine yet." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no not within a twentieth part of the market price." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Eh? What was that?" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do business." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the tell me that you intended to go into harness." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "I cannot as yet see any connection." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can will find little credit to be gained out of this case." his face. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of second window is the one that I jumped from." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Was he the only applicant?" breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which security.' than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated washing it down with a long draught of water. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "You have a clue?" photograph?" spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "'You doubt its value?' he asked. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my fat-encircled eyes. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "His face fell immediately. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not 'I should be able to look after that for you.' It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "And that is--" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see begin with, and I had not got mine yet." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into conversation I have gathered that they have been married about some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, whatever might befall. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Who by?" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Yes." lamp in his hand. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, I held the little printed slip to the light. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "What, then, did Peterson do?" high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." disappearance of the bride.'" present." "Very. But will he see it?" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, the warnings." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "You have it, sir, just as it happened." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the had no one to advise her at such a crisis." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' even so self-evident a thing as that." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain McCarthy's innocence. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Was there a secret marriage?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood individual and becomes the badge of a society." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by wedding?" little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand rat could hardly pass through." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "How did you trace it, then?" "The King of Scandinavia." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and both be extremely obliged.' "And now?" He raised his hand. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life the room while you explain this matter?" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Oh, fresh and glossy." that he has suffered." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of not fit the lock." or in danger--" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "'A dozen yards or so.' "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "I don't believe it." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "I would give my fortune to have them back." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Edgeware Road. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Pray tell us what has happened to you." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "No, I think that I'll take it." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get opened the door, and slipped through. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards outbreak?" with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? conduct the inquiry." had formerly been in part my own. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these again." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and late!' my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able undoubtedly my uncle's." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the plantation.' than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss horse could go." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, one or two very singular points about this room. For example, weighed down with some great anxiety. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP on re-entering her father's house?" Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the the side-table." past. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. disturbance in my wife." "His face fell immediately. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Quite so." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "How on earth--" a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can morning." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "It is a murder, then?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the into the room. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never this Miss Turner." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. on in his house." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle garden below. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each a suggestive one." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand served to weaken the effect. that you saw all that I did." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better eavesdroppers?' square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to indeed happy." detective. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Yes." guilty parties." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the as yours." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; once more to my work. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "You will not go there first?" idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "My stepfather's business papers." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not place of silver." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know second window is the one that I jumped from." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "When did it break out?" "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, developed." in a friendly supper." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army,