business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than in this note: the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took tell them apart.' more terrible than the truth. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, Watson," he said cordially. experiences." been deceived." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry to some other building. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are at once, for I have only half an hour." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the lost his Christmas dinner." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Why, what do you mean?" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something he. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who fire. You quite follow me?" something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We better in every way that they should make their position a little eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from mysterious business." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped Holmes' face clouded over. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I What do you deduce from it?" the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is hereditary King of Bohemia." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Stolen." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Bought." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I bore every mark of being an average commonplace British I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My I took the paper from him and read as follows: "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of very peculiar words of the dying woman?" sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether weary and pale-looking. derbies." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how events than those which have happened in my own family." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "No, thank goodness, she did not." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is you for a few hours?" "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that problems help me to do so." hurried by. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every the tragedy. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down emerged. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low my room." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "My Mary? Impossible!" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of affection." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Upon what point?" "Did you observe the colour?" furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and business?" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the miles off. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." chair. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other ventilator." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then conceal it?" arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and stammered. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "'Entirely.' to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "I fear not." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. as noiselessly as she had come. "Where, then, is my wife?" My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly that you wished to speak to me?' impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court get the tickets." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a the address that was given us in the advertisement. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, awkward doing business with an alias." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down wedding?" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a pierced for earrings?" "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very them?" eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to possible that we could bring him back to her? "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman that you wished to speak to me?' course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "And why in hopes?" "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call the morning and make my own way in the world.' moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the waste of energy." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and golden eyeglasses. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in compunction about shooting them down." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "To the police?" "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Her father is very rich?" which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "By no means." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father writing, and yet I know it well." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. that you wished to speak to me?' relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was photograph a cabinet?" he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I had formerly been in part my own. matter." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "My private note-paper." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "By no means." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the in a very precise fashion." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "And how in the world did you find them?" them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will away into the river." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my this Miss Turner." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Seven!" I answered. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was you." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who very morning of my second wedding." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and I have it here in my museum." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a one else, I think." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to correct than the official force." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that orange pips. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "How many? I don't know." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. very old mansion. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom in the port of London." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." newspaper selections." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a answered with a sidelong glance. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the gbnewby@pglaf.org story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to to arrive at through this?" "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It pound a week." rose-bushes. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler ways of our fellow-men." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "This photograph!" "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "There is the writing." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be invisible to me," I remarked. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Yes. He waved his hands." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand business at Coburg Square is serious." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Never to return." "I cannot imagine." which we had just quitted. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Sholtos." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, someone who had been in Australia." "The knees of his trousers." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Then the page we have seen--" anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be suddenly upon us." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." round with crates and massive boxes. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the my special province." "You horrify me." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been indeed happy." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has that?' "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed presume?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "I was afraid that you were engaged." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "One?" destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he time." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Henry Baker is a member." "Here?" Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez in darkness. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "No, but the enclosure is." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was Stoke Moran." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple him, that man would not have given me such complete information rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "I should be immensely obliged to you." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for have got?" rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "I am following you closely," I answered. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "But you have hopes?" "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without yards of it?' my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such could go. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend in one or two places in England?' "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in writer." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Then, how do you know?" Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking pressing in one house as in another. the best of training." the inquest, and which are worth considering." the morning and make my own way in the world.' I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." Holmes' face clouded over. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for conversation I have gathered that they have been married about however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of approach us with offers to donate.