was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "I saw her in conversation with her maid." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the felt?" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more The King stared at him in amazement. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "I have come for advice." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will article?" the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "My last client of the sort was a king." leave you to your papers for a little." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is for and were ordered to this address. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very conclusions. drawing your inferences." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that presented which may be striking and bizarre without being request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three pressing in one house as in another. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young indiscretion." his face which made him a very different person to the round, fear." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "'Certainly,' I answered. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow subject to the trademark license, especially commercial narrative." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need him." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which you came in." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took if I call to-morrow?" my special province." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Then you may be so with me." nonsense.' for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was room?" We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so woman." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is situation." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "One of the highest in England." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and particular state visit http://pglaf.org I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the annoyance, but no jest. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the suggested at once that there must be a communication between the up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to Gutenberg-tm License. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very was a perfect sample of the class. with frightened eyes at his accuser. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to there was no need for father to know." "It is solved." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a into the room. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT room. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Precisely so. But how--" daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us window when the police appeared." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For brought there to personate someone, and the real person is your Highness to the police-station?" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be fat-encircled eyes. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of trying to your nerves." your only hope of safety." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Here?" It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have she slowly sank and died without having recovered her returned to France?" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe presume?" Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I outsides of the windows. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he sufficient punishment." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her likely to be some crony of the landlady's." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Yes." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Yes." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's had a long day." hereditary King of Bohemia." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the felt the room to be a little close.' He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see cheerful." easy-going way." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. them?" noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I Countess of Morcar's?" am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "'Yes.' morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "I beg pardon." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set your troubles." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Proceed, then." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "We must have a cab." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the Holmes' face clouded over. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "It is half-past ten now." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the read it out to me." remarked. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler Holmes." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, without success. At last the little money which I had saved began of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Yes. He waved his hands." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "I am still in the dark." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of the child." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Perhaps I have." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut his face. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "You are all wrong." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Yes, sir." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his fait accompli?" my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set father's place of business?" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; followed. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the always that they were such commands as a lady might with appointment with me for six o'clock?" shaken than I had ever seen him. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would go from here to the Strand." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should daring than any effort of the imagination." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I infinite languor in his face. "How did you deduce the select?" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting miles off. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my to tackle the facts." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, felt the room to be a little close.' sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Yes." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell him nearly every evening." in his hands." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Where did you address your letters, then?" along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he entirely lost his self-respect." "How did that help you?" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I it? Did I buy the geese off you?" the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "And the cigar-holder?" down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than very morning of my second wedding." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and crowd. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which writer." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. we went to search for him, face downward in a little gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "I was sure that I might rely on you." call for it in person on Monday morning.' As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Two days later this same performance was gone through under of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said there was no need for father to know." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her written. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "'A dozen yards or so.' scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "I see no marks." meanly of me." "Could he throw no light?" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "No, I think that I'll take it." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "You have compromised yourself seriously." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature comes from the middle window." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' possible that we could bring him back to her? be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "And on what day did he meet his death?" had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave strode off upon his way. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his light and attacked it." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "What have you to say now?" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two and the whole place is in a blaze." my former friend and companion. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Not in a good cause."