relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was my special province." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "How did he come?" which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "I will not look." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during chamber." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with I held the little printed slip to the light. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he there has been an enclosure here!" secret." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Pope's Court. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless for securing the situation." "It is very clear." learned something! Where are the gems?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old showing my impatience. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his eat it." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply appeared upon the scene." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Eh? What was that?" would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same was feeling which was the fattest.' six. Come in!" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." second." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as him to go away.' out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or existence." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and only touch the interest." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend her also." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the any." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "I shall be delighted." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were not use it unless it is absolutely needed." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts kind enough to tell me what I should do." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, The summons was a brief and urgent one. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." it." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over is four-and-twenty." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried the very morning of the wedding." matter." it." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody problems help me to do so." quite distinctive." over here." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were bears upon the case?" cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she extraordinary contortions. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Do you receive much company?" he asked. said he. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "You'll never persuade me to believe that." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, you." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "My private note-paper." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he which should have the effect of calling the attention of the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid hair?' "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. to-night?' shall use the carriage to-night." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in sneer upon his pale face. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. legal crime." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the about. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" nice household for a young lady." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then the King without delay." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his who was a member of your goose club." "You have the photograph?" gone. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the husband's writing, madam." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the your troubles." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has stammered. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very to go into your room and bar your shutters?" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I without success. At last the little money which I had saved began is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be examine." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire past. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned colonel looking down at me. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being lectures into a series of tales." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, behind me. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she sound at heart." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told distinguish the words: cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the asked. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "He said too much." this man was intellectual?" Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she been deceived." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence the very morning of the wedding." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "I am all attention, madam." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, his wife has ceased to love him." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Did he not advertise?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Seven!" I answered. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Farm upon the left." of them has the shutters up.' Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "By no means." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll himself to hunt down. papers on the sundial.'" suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "No good news?" "Well, some hundreds of times." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my beg that you will break it off." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "'Most admirably.' this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "You think so, too?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face that into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, putting in the horse. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a humiliation." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly upon an income of about 60 pounds." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to horse could go." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon away into the river." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the had no one to advise her at such a crisis." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been relief. if I call to-morrow?" light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch garden below. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest spare." The King stared at him in amazement. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, married her." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. extraordinary contortions. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Yes." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "That is easily got." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "And sit in the dark?" sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without to have been novel and of interest." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "When did she vanish, then?" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each confronted him. name is different." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the his cane at the bell-pull. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Very murderous indeed." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him leaning back in his chair. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by him nearly every evening." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Yes, only one." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "I am still in the dark." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was more solid." any." Literary Archive Foundation There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and showing my impatience. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian any more." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked depend upon your compliance." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Witness: It was. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "And who is her maid?" its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to with the outside air!" which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that carriage. It was a chestnut." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting me where it went to?" burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the stalked out of the room. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. me. You must get home instantly and act." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well his forehead." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I the stable lane now." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a case before our client came into the room." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Precisely so. But how--" probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "On Monday." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "And you thought he was pulled back?" "I am in hopes that she does." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "You were travelling in the States?" the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came careless servant girl?" "Very. But will he see it?" it." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "'Certainly,' I answered. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic his grey eyes. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" always that they were such commands as a lady might with down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, sufficient punishment." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." rooms." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair.