he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a grasp, he hurried from the room. other lovers by making love himself." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." habit of advancing money.' at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the Miss Holder?" confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions our word." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret bore every mark of being an average commonplace British the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, ways of our fellow-men." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper careless servant girl?" "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he one of them." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Now, then, what's the last entry?" stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and comes from the middle window." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." lost his Christmas dinner." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two heavily into it. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, had a long day." "But he might be a bachelor." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers someone who had been in Australia." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and place no limit on the sum I may draw." Street. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very during which he might have communicated with his friend the child?' conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a front of me. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" certainly not very gracious." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "I beg pardon." investigation." paper in the air. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "'Certainly,' I answered. "And help." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been business came to an end." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Was the window open?" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our to take care of herself." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from crime. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up fattened it expressly for you.' with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. door?" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." said Mr. Holder. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking said I. you." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic lids now and glanced across at his visitor. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a indiscretion." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in take the flies, but not before." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it overpowering excitement and concern. go--none." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir went to the Alpha were town bred." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is fat-encircled eyes. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the upon the shelf for the interim." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "They are typewritten," I remarked. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "I will not look." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the questionable one." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the laugh and put his lips to my ear. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his retorted upon me, and I on you." "From his hat?" "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor this as likely?" walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "But you would not advise me to refuse?" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both the coroner come to?" drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a the armchair which I pushed forward for him. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would fish-monger and a tide-waiter." have got?" the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled DISSOLVED. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with to his chemical studies. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "How many? I don't know." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "I don't say that. Perhaps." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very Watson," he said cordially. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in something of him before." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "You are all wrong." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "9th. McCauley cleared. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light directors, with the result that you have seen." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had already referred to. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a visitors." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "It is a murder, then?" "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress and the church but not where the lady lived." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. there has been an enclosure here!" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. his grey eyes. "What have you to say now?" written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the answer." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." again, where I was soon asleep. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "'Certainly not.' cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for his grey eyes. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear national property. I was determined that the law should have its "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of question," said Holmes, smiling. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, in. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon amused." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were over here." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my bedroom door." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor quick march!" go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Why, what do you mean?" impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass to you." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in point in the dark hollow of his hand. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Where, indeed?" "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." what these perils are?" whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. detained." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared room. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague ourselves in the office." "About a month then." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "It looks newer than the other things?" sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "At what time?" "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked lumber-room." yourselves in at night?" of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and someone who had been in Australia." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was yourselves in at night?" whether it answered to the description of any of their appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should empty. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could 11:15.' "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "What can it mean?" I gasped. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one the bottom.' "BALLARAT." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their the coronet in his hands?" one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. questioning and rather startled gaze. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It cheerful." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him directors, with the result that you have seen." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Yes, sir." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, tightly behind him. following enigmatical notices: that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" way: indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "But you would not advise me to refuse?" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." Again Holmes raved in the air. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do gbnewby@pglaf.org one of them." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said a room. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your see a sister of mine apply for." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you Leadenhall Street--and--" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" you in yours." weary and pale-looking. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "One of his hands." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "We were both in the photograph." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural and that he would see to anything that turned up. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom now. It seems that there had been some informality about their bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" and I shall be with you presently." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working matter." in one or two places in England?' had picked up in the wood. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "But his lameness?" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to and wait." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two to take care of herself." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official Sutherland. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the