lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "'Yes, sir.' "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. papers diligently of late, have you not?" "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "And Irene Adler?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the habit of advancing money.' chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "I have my revolver," said I. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other the salesman. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the which was all perfectly true. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to open." closing the door. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, had formerly been in part my own. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "And now?" He raised his hand. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "To an English lawyer named Norton." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong During two years I have had three consultations and one small allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger the date of his supposed suicide." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left was used.' "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end questioning and rather startled gaze. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "No?" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up round with crates and massive boxes. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still young Openshaw's." McCarthy's innocence. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his o'clock is it?" it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Imitated." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "She told me to ask you." good-night and bustled off upon her way. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "It is possible." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, visitors." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he chill to my heart. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a Watson," he said cordially. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of Mrs. Toller serenely. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Where to?" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their go--none." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such that before taking the final step I should like to submit the All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Now, then, what's the last entry?" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice miles off. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." here and I will read it to you: "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Could he throw no light?" fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in the coronet in his hand?" back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Come in!" said Holmes. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of of Fenchurch Street." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "But you have hopes?" "You did not overhear what they said?" fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for on in his house." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Did he not advertise?" the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Then I can wait in the next room." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "What do you make of that, Watson?" was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "But you would not advise me to refuse?" It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a to take care of herself." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden train from Paddington which would bring you there at about the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "But you have hopes?" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs was feeling which was the fattest.' he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my leaning back in his chair. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's in the hope of finding them." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger into her hand at the door and which lured her within their 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it Edgeware Road. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No some place of shelter and let the county police know what has return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. strength of mind to control. was not a bird to be seen there. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem occupations.' see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would was not a bird to be seen there. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. my room." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and vanished into the darkness. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee go back?" that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "'Tell me all about it,' said I. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Yesterday." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, case before our client came into the room." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate of a light. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Whose house is it?" "Yes, it was twisted." This is what he says: "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Who by?" you." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" humiliation." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "I think it very unlikely." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Why did you pick him?" "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "And how in the world did you find them?" upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Of what?" experiences." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the from the brougham. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Yes, it was twisted." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part McCarthy's innocence. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "You have carte blanche." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was for its centre. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "This concluded the examination of the witness." "You have a clue?" "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could to arrive at through this?" half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which nothing with him." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "'Most admirably.' have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you astonishment. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "You saw the ventilator, too?" Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Yes, certainly." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Indeed! Whose, then?" foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "An accident, I presume?" "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in outside." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Really! You surprise me." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. the bottom.' "I see no marks." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Yes, sir." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." papers must be those that are destroyed.' "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third them, and came down just as you departed. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from have established a very serious case against the son of the "I am sure." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, breakfast?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a all-comprehensive glances. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are Literary Archive Foundation than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Will you bet, then?" "Do you know him?" one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a my little problems." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, down in his armchair and closing his eyes. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other lost his Christmas dinner." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Has he come with you to-night?" will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free said he. This is what he says: Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy help us in this matter." the child." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Well, it is a possible supposition." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a you?" monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' whether it answered to the description of any of their he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more carried out of court." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. populous neighbourhood." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could existence." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were only touch the interest." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has outside." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience occurred." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed matter." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to and all of them with the keenest interest. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted