not fit the lock." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a of note-paper. It read in this fashion: drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you you give your casting vote to?" The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one will he say when he returns?" may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making pictures, libraries, or plate. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she recover the gem." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to never will be, entirely cleared up. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: himself in a perplexing position. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some wife's character?" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular children over to America with him, so that I found myself without solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "'I am sure if I had known--' (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it down. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "How can you tell that?" is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further tell him that I know him to be innocent." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less him to go away.' anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She had died away into the silence from which it rose. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been key of the affair now." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar companion quietly. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually My friend smiled. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "'Never.' strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Arthur Conan Doyle George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil evidence," I remarked. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand the tragedy. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in works. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "By no means." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "So I heard. You have him here?" sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my of this gang." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its character. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Where to?" Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "I am still in the dark." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the comes from the middle window." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Yes, they were peculiar boots." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." me what he had done with the three missing stones. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Have you it here?" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Oh, yes, easily." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "It certainly sounds feasible." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I get the tickets." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat morning." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "You are all wrong." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is never came back." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. This is what he says: "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" skylight. with some details as to your case." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." the loss of it. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "The landlord of the Alpha." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. any little problem which you may submit to me." any." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his not within a twentieth part of the market price." "It must be recovered." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may business." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the get her out of the way." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in if I call to-morrow?" to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Nearly eleven." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all see a sister of mine apply for." "Then I do not see the point." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Why? What do you mean?" been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "And I say east," said my patient. "And why?" exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' could not have written that. It is the German who is so key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she your only hope of safety." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, giving me time to thank him. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was It was close upon four before the door opened, and a to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "10th. John Swain cleared. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if this remarkable episode. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the we went to search for him, face downward in a little forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no the room while you explain this matter?" article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and remarked. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "The Cedars?" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the of the one which your family is now devouring." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "It is very clear." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and mysterious business." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "ARAT," I read. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring Street. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Whose house is it?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." ourselves in the office." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE promised to bring home. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular fasten all the windows?" "Not particularly." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient at my remark. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me may never be exposed to such a temptation." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "It certainly sounds feasible." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "You saw the ventilator, too?" "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in until night should bring an explanation. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." about. without a word or a look. light and attacked it." "What can you not understand?" "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of shall use the carriage to-night." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so to surprise her." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "What then?" would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will became a certainty. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to than to us. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He child?' they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the this man was intellectual?" "Was your sister dressed?" of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw strength." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "No sign of it?" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." very morning of my second wedding." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose one's self under obligations.' "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from depend upon my doing so.' the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or writing, and yet I know it well." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Yes." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had guilty parties." when your master had gone out." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the British peeress.'" "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "'Very good.' "And how did he make his money?" thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Perhaps I have." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. I shall continue with my miserable story. showing my impatience. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, lost nothing by them." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" never will be, entirely cleared up. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. crowd. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been strength in the others." interested in these little problems, and since you are good disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Did you observe the colour?" was a perfect sample of the class. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had meanly of me." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to opened the door, and slipped through. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You do." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard my room." be.' felt?" leaning back in his chair. "Yes?" "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I key turn in the lock." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." chambers. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear him, that man would not have given me such complete information "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "By all means." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself Holmes." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "I say that I have solved it."