through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism side. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the presume?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. away to you." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. instituted." present." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't records." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "You forget that I know nothing about it." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and so far?" 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Whose house is it?" wanted for ourselves." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight rose-bushes. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a I am not easy in my mind about them." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the visitors." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a forecastle of an emigrant ship. the best of training." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Certainly, madam." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "I should like to see him very much." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the bedroom door." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Not in a good cause." you in yours." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even fled together." one which it was hard to resist. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable notes," he said. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's the nursery. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Upon what point?" "I came to find a friend." if only as a check to my own memory." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I redistribution. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "What!" he roared. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "But you can know nothing of this?" "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes bachelor.' already referred to. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to matters immensely." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I Countess of Morcar's?" were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "It is a murder, then?" "Nearly eleven." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was habit of advancing money.' copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right call you and give you the chance." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round young Openshaw's." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "We have tried and failed." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a overpowering excitement and concern. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "Just look it up, then." fishes. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "I cannot say that I have." "It is very kind of you." the stable lane now." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it to a light-house. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled your equipment. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us do.' this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "'Where to?' to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is was shining brightly. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless maid will bring up your coffee." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Certainly." is worth.' carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "The gentleman I describe." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of one's self under obligations.' to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "I have solved it." begun to whiten, even as mine has." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a and shall probably return to London by the evening train." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this me. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. Serpentine Avenue. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "And I." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand pictures, libraries, or plate. had a long day." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must It was close upon four before the door opened, and a prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "I say it is." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked singular points about the case. What did the police think of the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said the room while you explain this matter?" 'I should be able to look after that for you.' has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. were unconscious?" of Mr. Rucastle's." "But to whom?" little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. with you alone." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." from you?" "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon nothing with him." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "I answered that I had not. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right could not have written that. It is the German who is so "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "'I have already given you my word.' cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Yes, but only for you and me." that I can to serve you." interest. They are important, you understand, without being "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows outbreak?" "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining might have a private word with us. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new the salesman. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Stolen." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Her father is very rich?" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "And from a noble client?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know a suggestive one." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "By no means." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry occupations.' "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager may have an influence upon European history." "And I." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "What then?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' tear off another piece?' Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project gives a meaning to it." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon voice. "And what did you see?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress Foundation was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the footfalls from the street. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many have I gained?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "What will you say?" was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business national property. I was determined that the law should have its Serpentine Avenue. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my place of silver." when you have done it." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about acquaintance?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the me. You must get home instantly and act." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he it." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" breakfast." attention." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, observed. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was said Mr. Holder. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden she might be summoned. made him keep the appointment." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & his eyes and forehead. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as charged with?" outside." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently relation between them, and what the object of his repeated a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." the very morning of the wedding." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not DISSOLVED. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended and put his glass in his pocket. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is pierced for earrings?" Eyford." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having have been better. It is all right." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little lost his Christmas dinner." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it late!' last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Miss Holder?" have had none more fantastic than this." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope other lovers by making love himself." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide been shamefully used." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another she to prove their authenticity?" out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "It's nothing of the kind." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business strange features which were associated with the two crimes which not fit the lock." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' had a long day." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "One of the highest in England." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his as yours." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of been with you?" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what