"No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. just called myself is not exactly my own." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter to tackle the facts." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "In which, sir?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a what do you think they found in the pockets?" as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had main points of my analysis." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this than to us. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "And the cigar-holder?" "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Yes, he did." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we crime." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in present strange and interesting features that it is no easy clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Stoke Moran." "'I have heard so.' poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. future lives." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide them?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall happened." or other trace. But how on earth--" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "What, then, did Peterson do?" examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a was it brought him the coronet? so far?" reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "I have a cab outside." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. The summons was a brief and urgent one. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out cause to be." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they help us in this matter." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. results." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with character. late." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Where did you address your letters, then?" IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my miles off. his fortune, and I went back to pa. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his ventilator." the roots. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "That is possible." "How are you getting on?" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant tied." "Yes. He waved his hands." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "This photograph!" pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Watson," he said cordially. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my possible that we could bring him back to her? "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "But his lameness?" "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "If so, much may have happened between." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Why serious?" "'Oh, no.' "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Entirely." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. behind me. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" ran thus: and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "When did she vanish, then?" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "How did you deduce the select?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Pope's Court, Fleet Street." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. child?' all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "And why in hopes?" moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face hour." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Mrs. Toller serenely. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you question," said Holmes, smiling. "Indeed! Whose, then?" correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on is acting for the best. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Nothing." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "How about poison?" cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding to change my dress. "What can it mean?" I gasped. and your relations to her." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he is entirely a question of barometric pressure." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey disturbance in my wife." note?" "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "On the contrary, this is the right side." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly Holmes' thin, eager face. a good hundred miles off by now." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' himself. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he to surprise her." "Certainly." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "'Yes, it was gone.' of receipt of the work. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There Sutherland?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out what I may call a really hard day's work." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have him. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one never will be, entirely cleared up. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Absolutely none." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no assist you in forming an opinion." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words returned to France?" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will Chief Executive and Director "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Quite so." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the observed. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "A confidential servant?" family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will it were putty." despaired of." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Yes, all." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle intrusion of other matters." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are woman." within hail.' usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out it." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." of the one which your family is now devouring." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I was used.' in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "My own seal." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "No, my brougham is waiting." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of shag which I had seen upon the previous night. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He sit on the left-hand side of the driver." tension within him. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" telegram would bring me down to your help." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the crackling voice. "Pray do so." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he me what he had done with the three missing stones. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." are, and they are waiting for us." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Yes, he did." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue room. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in in the port of London." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which four million human beings all jostling each other within the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her prepare for the new role I have to play." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the me upon any point which I do not make clear." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a bachelor.' the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "That sounds a little paradoxical." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "I am sure." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "My own seal." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Indeed! Whose, then?" serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "That also I could fathom." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered on re-entering her father's house?" after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." disturbance in my wife." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "That was it, sir." once more for Briony Lodge. "Certainly." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "How did you deduce the select?" sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One carpenter." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Did you become engaged then?" stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." where she found matters as described by the last witness. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" clang of the bell. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, returned to France?" stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "And who is her maid?" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Upon what point?" is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "That is unusual in a young girl." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "At what time?" make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to round and wave him away like that.' is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up British peeress.'" happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington enough to aid us in our search." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It fasten all the windows?" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the someone who had been in Australia." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "My opinion is in no way altered." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "But we can't all be." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and I approached. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and good for you to do.' even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of public press." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Come in!" said he. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" constraint." before, for it was considerably after midnight. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of my room." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot