- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the James Windibank. Voilà tout!" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a minor matters until to-morrow." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Where is it, then?" was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "The doctor?" burst out into a roar of laughter. ceremony." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to opened a pocket-book and took out a note. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that will he say when he returns?" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a bore every mark of being an average commonplace British metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Nothing." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "That is not always so easy." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are upon an income of about 60 pounds." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What yet." "What can you not understand?" "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Precisely." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "I cannot say that I have." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "A thing like a cleaver," said he. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called again on its way. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed again before evening." unclasping of his long thin hands. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, said I. "And you can do nothing until then?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. ordinary clothes on?" exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Not particularly." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up where we are going." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed you." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "'It is locked up,' I answered. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save From what you have told me I think that it is possible that headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Yes." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "I do." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most soul! here is her carriage at the door." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little all?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Stolen." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his client, rising. "I do." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing His smile broadened. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with neither fascinating nor artistic." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a that you saw all that I did." said he. his knees, staring into the fire. "Not in a good cause." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "You are all wrong." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty said he at last. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as the Assizes." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious him." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the have not had my rubber." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his Leadenhall Street--and--" Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her nothing with him." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous remarked. "How do you know, then?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Sholtos." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "'Entirely.' "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal power." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and him to go away.' Street. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to IS "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to individual and becomes the badge of a society." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." happened." again on its way. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" ordinary clothes on?" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the interested in these little problems, and since you are good "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the the loss of it. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." than was visible to me." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "No, thank goodness, she did not." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Well, it is a possible supposition." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery appeared upon the scene." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Ample." you came in." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three was once confined in the cab my mission was practically do." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine married her." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got been lifted and conveyed somewhere." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "That is possible." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of to talk it over. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are mystery." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would begun to whiten, even as mine has." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but your room." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "I have come for advice." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." to me. all-comprehensive glances. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Was the window open?" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "None. Neville wrote those words." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was like that before?" Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile observed. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Ten will be early enough." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort placed his cuttings. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are congratulate you again." one of the states of the Union." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "You'll never persuade me to believe that." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "My last client of the sort was a king." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down of the efforts of the United States government and of the better cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from read it out to me." investigation." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police retorted upon me, and I on you." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "In the cells." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "When did it break out?" "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right your sleep?' "Nearly eleven." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "And who is her maid?" street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "And how have you succeeded?" "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." interests were the same as his." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great shoulder. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his nothing with him." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the Edgeware Road. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "And on what day did he meet his death?" have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "I promise," said Holmes. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: instincts rose up against that laugh. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "You have the photograph?" have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" which I could not give. He asked for Alice. man. I know him from the photograph." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and bears upon the case?" attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all guilty one." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and desk. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then careless servant girl?" "No. His orders were to stay in the house." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "'I have already given you my word.' "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some the King without delay." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some made him keep the appointment." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" Gutenberg-tm License. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she will be renamed. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "How did that help you?" Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were definite end. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Where does the thing come from?' "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were have got?" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards families. Now for the facts. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "How are you getting on?" people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my any." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter amused." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "By train from Waterloo." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience I was concerned in it." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to of the vacancies.' mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "You'll never persuade me to believe that." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work questionable one." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the said he. will not take me long to tell. man. I know him from the photograph." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" writer." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Not I." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual You want to know what became of those geese?" chamber." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky,