not, dad?" she asked. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Yes, it was twisted." over part of the map. "What do you read?" thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made hour?' "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that Doctor, of the paper and the date." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Yes." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "If I can be of use." as yours." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do breakfast." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my better in every way that they should make their position a little that I am arrested." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." it with his own hands." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "This concluded the examination of the witness." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Do you know him?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until Leadenhall Street--and--" took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was figure." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover off." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we this remarkable episode. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am strength in the others." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he fluttered off among the others. "An enemy?" when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father this truth that in these little records of our cases which you off." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' habit of advancing money.' "And help." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It is now desirous of getting those letters back." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. Street. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came wedding?" more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to I think that I could be of assistance to you." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could chance." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the carpenter." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' status with the IRS. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "What steps will you take?" I asked. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "We were both in the photograph." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Munro.' "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a could not have written that. It is the German who is so leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "But who is he?" with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he Gutenberg-tm License. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew most important business. It is probable that he will be away all Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation more terrible than the truth. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "No." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Yes, that is the Crown." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the knowledge of the world." III. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you lumber-room." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be to surprise her." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "And why in hopes?" we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have forehead. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And investigation." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. present." remarked. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out in the dead of the night?' more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel was keenly on my guard against him. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. kind enough to tell me what I should do." amused." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "How can you tell that?" "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather into the bag, and made for the door. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress October 9, 1890. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to standing smiling on the door-step. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "'What then?' I asked. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Was there a secret marriage?" it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with the bottom.' vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "I was mad--insane." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." like gravel from a pit.' disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared always that they were such commands as a lady might with all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of unprecedented a position." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "You have it, sir, just as it happened." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "What! a murderous attack?" Mrs. Toller serenely. Sholtos." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Certainly." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which From what you have told me I think that it is possible that our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Where, indeed?" "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "You forget that I know nothing about it." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were is so. I know all about McCarthy." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "How many? I don't know." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade present." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two in darkness. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all papers diligently of late, have you not?" points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "I will get her to show me." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he and your relations to her." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a experiences." "By no means." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "I don't believe it." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "The gentleman I describe." http://gutenberg.net/license). to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange keep the flames under. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At himself in a perplexing position. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "It was a confession," I ejaculated. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as for securing the situation." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such stood on the top of it. "Then I do not see the point." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a away in different directions, and I went off to make my own an introduction to him?" sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that with her." imbecility!" he cried. and your relations to her." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a in the dead of the night?' "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have details." "How many? I don't know." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly train.' Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a yet." "My dear Holmes!" overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "I am all attention, madam." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Yes." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "And how in the world did you find them?" position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Game for a morning drive?" from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and woven round him. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the held up the lantern and gazed about him. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows 'please.'" horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Yes, it was twisted." "What do you make of that, Watson?" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made look dissatisfied." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be peculiar to him. business." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell furiously. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for Lee, in the county of Kent." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue that?' and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. very old mansion. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is the running down." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening http://gutenberg.net/license). Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "He slept on the premises." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which back into the street. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from to go into your room and bar your shutters?" my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I disappearance of the bride.'" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "'Yes, it was gone.' was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying