"Can I be of assistance?" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in the stones. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn business." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press away in different directions, and I went off to make my own events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned entirely devoid of interest." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. pound a week." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they good for you to do.' "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his matters immensely." beg that you will break it off." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey troubles have been weighing upon his mind. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and call it cruel." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Here?" away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to all?" all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "What is it, then--a fire?" not interfere, come what may. You understand?" The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His to affect your life." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers if I call to-morrow?" in his power. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. what I may call a really hard day's work." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without round with crates and massive boxes. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." visitors." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you over here." been shamefully used." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "It is half-past ten now." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was me have 200 pounds?' the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a certainly not very gracious." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but seem to you to be relevant or not." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my name is different." before, for it was considerably after midnight. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' bell. Holmes whistled. "None. Neville wrote those words." "There is the writing." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else stepfather?" room?" air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB my friend's incisive reasoning. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Yes, only one." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his ordinary clothes on?" a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' evidence," I remarked. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it be sorry for having acted so harshly." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Why serious?" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just all that?" "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Pope's Court. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in later, upon the night of May 2nd." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "At half-wages, in fact." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the seen the man in the road." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered seven miles from Eyford Station.' came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "We must have a cab." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no answered with a sidelong glance. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." to have been novel and of interest." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies the little opening for the ventilator is." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they figure." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. her also." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight presented which may be striking and bizarre without being side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and status with the IRS. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as The King stared at him in amazement. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress prepare for the new role I have to play." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure introspective fashion. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "And how?" that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a once more on the important position which you have been fortunate opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office sufficient punishment." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a advice." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business words came to my lips. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." sound at heart." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands clanging. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "The best possible." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the sake, don't!" feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly IS Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning were unconscious?" "It certainly sounds feasible." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled copied or distributed: fasten all the windows?" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the think you a quite exceptional woman." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my me have 200 pounds?' have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Dr. Becher's." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's main points of my analysis." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel these bleak autumnal evenings." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "And who is her maid?" "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most them present such singular features as the strange train of broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "What, then?" hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "There is the writing." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Where did you address your letters, then?" "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would IS law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Where did he live, then?" "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "'And what are they worth?' I asked. direction." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Well." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Yes, he did." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the official police." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for lost his Christmas dinner." his face which made him a very different person to the round, three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden crime. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some lost nothing by them." room. "What then?" and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious thought that she would have been so carried away." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the orange pips. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "What! You do not mean bodies?" Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Stolen." "No, I think that I'll take it." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not some terrible trap for her." for and were ordered to this address. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next six. Come in!" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Perfectly so." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, highroad, where all traces were lost. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of derbies." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." of the way of danger. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "I cannot tell." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "That you are never beaten." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Which surely he restored to their owner?" words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called whereabouts. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "I see many objections to any such theory." second." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of down from London to inquire more deeply into it." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." Holmes. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with without success. At last the little money which I had saved began can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock has little to do with my story." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one said he. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. once more to my work. extraordinary contortions. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a down in his armchair and closing his eyes. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the answer." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would way in." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Yes." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six soul! here is her carriage at the door." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "'As governess?' a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. Dr. Gregory B. Newby believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Why, it's a dummy," said he. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the I am not easy in my mind about them." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Holmes. "And why in hopes?" "I would pay ten." tied." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Then I shall certainly come." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce seen the man in the road." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the details." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Then how many are there?" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the breakfast." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "To an English lawyer named Norton." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked British peeress.'" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Not particularly." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. o'clock is it?" go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.