to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. national property. I was determined that the law should have its by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which way in everything. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Absolutely none." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but conduct the inquiry." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the spark where all is dark to me." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him walking." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "One?" to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." if only as a check to my own memory." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore note?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to DAMAGE. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." humiliation." "It surprised me." bonnet, and went out." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop next day. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Yes, all." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was to some other building. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "'I shall certainly be there.' freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the answer." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. lumber-room." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and it with his own hands." south, for the country is more deserted there." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the himself in a perplexing position. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" my little problems." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if desk. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to II. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "But what harm can there be in that?" means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place handed it to him. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are never came back." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' true." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." I leave." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious together. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a discontent upon his features. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I I am not easy in my mind about them." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, his grey eyes. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and this unhappy family?" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was the house with me." "'I have already given you my word.' the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "What!" he roared. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage astonishment. standing smiling on the door-step. "'Yes, I promise.' "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You notes," he said. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, read it out to me." companion. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Where, then?" "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "But she could not love him." "Was she in good spirits?" fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! and your relations to her." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one telegram would bring me down to your help." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then 1.E.9. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Why serious?" Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where direction." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his leave you to your papers for a little." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Where, then, is my wife?" qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter the night.' of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "From his hat?" at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the that?' you want, then?' "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I golden eyeglasses. "When did she vanish, then?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he father's place of business?" "Dr. Becher's." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Yes, but only for you and me." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own them, and came down just as you departed. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "It is half-past ten now." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, closing the door. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window husband's writing, madam." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' more terrible than the truth. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" drawing your inferences." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." me." "Do you go out much in society?" remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "And how did you verify them?" charged with?" present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "That's no good." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Well, some hundreds of times." in one or two places in England?' "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable the Assizes." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "She told me to ask you." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, it right.' give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "How can you tell that?" some water from a caraffe. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, outside. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable that I am arrested." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a head. So long, then!" whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. happened." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "'No, I know no one in these parts.' morning." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to said Mr. Holder. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "One horse?" interjected Holmes. new duties?' at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "It must be recovered." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "That you are never beaten." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "That is unusual in a young girl." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Ah!" also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "My dear Holmes!" brandy and water within his reach. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was that you wished to speak to me?' As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Have you her photograph?" takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. thought that she would have been so carried away." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Ah!" the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "'Never,' said I. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing London for the present?" without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Not in the least." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Holmes." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Then, as to money?" as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a him nearly every evening." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "None." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the http://www.gutenberg.net now. It seems that there had been some informality about their London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a long narrative. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a beyond words. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "And leave your case unfinished?" that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "He disappeared so suddenly." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "I don't say that. Perhaps." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "To the police?" convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "'As governess?' pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the fattened it expressly for you.' assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed bachelor.' "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon assist you in forming an opinion." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from that he will be back before evening." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "What is it, then--a fire?" "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Tired-looking or fresh?" in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, then?" just ask you whether you had heard it.' and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Then he might have called to you?" who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "No, distinctly professional." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he Miss Holder?" could not have written that. It is the German who is so exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "'Yes, sir.' where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety hands. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The following enigmatical notices: Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat outsides of the windows. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a your room." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar his huge brown hands. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for go back?"