was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the clanging. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "You will not go there first?" "An enemy?" "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" For additional contact information: London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For as he remarks, very much against the son." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "I am about to be married." "What can it mean?" I gasped. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him have had none more fantastic than this." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Yes, sir." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, mystery may be cleared along those lines." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Only as much as we can deduce." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Not him." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive someone who had been in Australia." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "You have carte blanche." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the take the flies, but not before." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, habit of advancing money.' imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very the side-table." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "9th. McCauley cleared. "It is solved." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "That is not always so easy." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you and the colonel ushered me in. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the of this gang." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Were they all fastened this morning?" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon that you wished to speak to me?' doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes said I. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "No." colour had been driven from his face. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same to surprise her." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back he bowed and left the room without another word. was already answered. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. at home. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Just look it up, then." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem begun to whiten, even as mine has." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's relation between them, and what the object of his repeated of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it comes from the middle window." "What will you do, then?" crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "I see no marks." and that he would see to anything that turned up. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have she to prove their authenticity?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See key of the affair now." "And you can do nothing until then?" this man was intellectual?" Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the me where it went to?" "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "What will you say?" the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "'It is locked up,' I answered. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us for its centre. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with himself to tell his story. records." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to six. Come in!" Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding papers diligently of late, have you not?" the address that was given us in the advertisement. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." bachelor.' which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son you." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry DAMAGE. long narrative. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we were new raised from a basin. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Of Friday, June 19th." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; me, and I could not think that his explanation of the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "Pray do so." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted showing my impatience. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an went to the Alpha were town bred." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "You have but to name it." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Yes." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Deserted you?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever that I can to serve you." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." the loss of it. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "And your mother is alive?" down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows in his hands." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. one of the states of the Union." not, dad?" she asked. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of his face. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can in a friendly supper." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Who was the criminal, then?" "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall of note-paper. It read in this fashion: standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "But you can know nothing of this?" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a business?" effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some that, and I came down." is acting for the best. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his roused himself from his reverie. father's place of business?" "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, was shining brightly. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a to-morrow." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with later, upon the night of May 2nd." "'Yes, sir.' "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "'You doubt its value?' he asked. who was a member of your goose club." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "No more words. Get out!" with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that bell. Holmes whistled. rat could hardly pass through." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this felt?" "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see even so self-evident a thing as that." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent Dr. Gregory B. Newby caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer approach us with offers to donate. Sutherland. "The vanishing of the lady." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "BALLARAT." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, strong reason behind." soul! here is her carriage at the door." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one papers diligently of late, have you not?" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "No more words. Get out!" some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it to-morrow." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "That sounds a little paradoxical." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, maiden herself was most instructive." made his money." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the Stoke Moran." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "And did you observe any change in her then?" "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He and effective." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent in a very precise fashion." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, of the vacancies.' is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my as he folded up the epistle. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. look dissatisfied." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "And how did he make his money?" meanly of me." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined off." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or details." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was miles off. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong Dr. Gregory B. Newby the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big What do you deduce from it?" nights." with some details as to your case." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet hurried away. him nearly every evening." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps Serpentine Avenue. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the Holmes' room. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "My own seal." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Has he come with you to-night?" to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Thank you. And your address?" take the flies, but not before." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "The doctor?" "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, not interfere, come what may. You understand?" weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the But Holmes shook his head gravely. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "I shall be delighted." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Yes." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. occurred." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "You horrify me!" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and wedding?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "I have solved it." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and said I. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "But to whom?" "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come later, upon the night of May 2nd." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Did you observe the colour?" recover the gem." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "No sign of it?" clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "It was." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important