back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. photograph a cabinet?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Is he quiet?" "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this had no one to advise her at such a crisis." maiden herself was most instructive." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before will not take me long to tell. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that drove away. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "No, distinctly professional." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I bed dies. Does not that strike you?" have had none more fantastic than this." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "He slept on the premises." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a you." Foundation the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his woven round him. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside of the efforts of the United States government and of the better bird of prey. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, the inner apartment." Sholtos." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "'As governess?' green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that three of the beryls in it, was missing. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a The summons was a brief and urgent one. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "None." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB politicians who had been sent down from the North. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "What do you make of that, Watson?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the your sleep?' troubles have been weighing upon his mind. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Very truly yours, forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "You heard nothing yourself last night?" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, some place of shelter and let the county police know what has noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "At what time?" been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "Was there a secret marriage?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "No, my brougham is waiting." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me your Highness to the police-station?" "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns more terrible than the truth. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our invisible to me," I remarked. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought never to learn it at all." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his wanted for ourselves." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" of a light. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to voice. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful straighten it?" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Do you go out much in society?" "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to the one as in the other." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "I cannot tell." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural fat-encircled eyes. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "I will not look." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his ceremony." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well me. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from rat could hardly pass through." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and strength." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not you for a few hours?" "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Precisely." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and indiscretion." "So I have heard." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "My own seal." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Yes." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate But Holmes shook his head gravely. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Absolutely?" "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our business at Coburg Square is serious." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "None. Neville wrote those words." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to hand, madam?" force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "I fear not." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you most interesting one." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the advice." I shall communicate with you." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten which are rolled in Rotterdam." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I Edgeware Road. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Of what day?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your it with his own hands." and looked back. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "You don't mind breaking the law?" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, My friend smiled. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an read over the extraordinary announcement. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "No." chair. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able to his chemical studies. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, DISSOLVED. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men once more to my work. "No?" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had friend's singular character. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I humiliation." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "You were travelling in the States?" a suggestive one." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to was shining brightly. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let against a man in the prime of life?" other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away instincts rose up against that laugh. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies light and attacked it." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Where to?" stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "I was afraid that you were engaged." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "You were travelling in the States?" her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" and shall probably return to London by the evening train." never will be, entirely cleared up. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "You have but to name it." you." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. the Assizes." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could whole matter to your consideration." his wife has ceased to love him." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We For additional contact information: himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our gentleman's clothes. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, I was concerned in it." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon The note was undated, and without either signature or address. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. ready to-morrow?' jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Oh, fresh and glossy." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "No, but the enclosure is." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "Yes." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this meanly of me." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through Watson," he said cordially. to miss it." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in which was all perfectly true. question," said Holmes, smiling. fuss that is made over them." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. stammered. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Then how many are there?" Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "No, but the enclosure is." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about congratulate you again." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "If I can be of use." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by to change my dress. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "The King of Scandinavia." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you forecastle of an emigrant ship. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had DAMAGE. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "You were travelling in the States?" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the memory. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Holmes rather sternly. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH Dr. Gregory B. Newby papers." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your fluttered off among the others. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "'In my own bureau.' for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double look dissatisfied." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to said he. stepfather?" there were one or two details which were new to me. But the promised to bring home. carried out of court." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is fatally injured? paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "But she will refuse." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences business." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of