this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. McCarthy." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to morning." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she mysterious business." "I have solved it." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed most interesting one." "'I am sure that I do not know.' said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had furiously. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, any little problem which you may submit to me." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, written. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Of Friday, June 19th." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Have you her photograph?" cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "I will, Miss Turner." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step society." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "'And the work?' had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come yet." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. you want, then?' confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "There is the writing." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "And how in the world did you find them?" "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "My stepfather's business papers." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House once more for Briony Lodge. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. so.' may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was and your relations to her." ago." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been what is your own theory as to what took place?" a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "That is unusual in a young girl." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and served to weaken the effect. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "You did not overhear what they said?" do.' purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "I have seen the police." was a perfect sample of the class. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of during the last few years, and there are many noble families to out of this horrible affair." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' I have it here in my museum." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been recover the gem." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. bears upon the case?" have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "But it has twice been burgled." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." better grown goose." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that conversation I have gathered that they have been married about And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "I cannot tell." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some interest. They are important, you understand, without being my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an little trying to do so much typewriting?" strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I quite distinctive." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Will you bet, then?" afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "But who is he?" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the business." again on its way. your most interesting statement." the matter?" black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, James Windibank. Voilà tout!" handed it to him. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. this Miss Turner." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an did not hear it also.' of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at know what is wrong with it.' postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at skylight. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from not come at once?" and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "An enemy?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. before the coroner and the police-court." and wait." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was enough to aid us in our search." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "Not particularly." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Where is it, then?" his cane at the bell-pull. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Ha! you find it so?" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "But what is it you wish?" The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of III. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at morning." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "You forget that I know nothing about it." I. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "I have come for advice." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little sneer upon his pale face. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin to me. "I see no marks." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious gbnewby@pglaf.org Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety invisible to me," I remarked. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "She will not sell." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his strength in the others." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" fire. You quite follow me?" as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up your co-operation." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you for and were ordered to this address. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over infinite languor in his face. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' possible that we could bring him back to her? God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "'You cannot say what it was?' nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he answer." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my digesting their breakfasts at home." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for better in every way that they should make their position a little the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." jewels which you have stolen?' help us in this matter." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside hardly wander." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would you." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll unclasping of his long thin hands. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "You think so, too?" heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house I approached. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Not him." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, your room." character. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "And it is--" Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose your bag." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Always." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to telegram would bring me down to your help." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing had this final quarrel? homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the business came to an end." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "'Yes, it was gone.' hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which strong reason behind." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "How did he come?" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar possible that we could bring him back to her? be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day the Assizes." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "What! You do not mean bodies?" Countess of Morcar's?" initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and investigation." "'I have already given you my word.' about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "And what then?" pity, because in other respects you would really have done very of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Yes, there are nearly always some there." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that to-night." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will London for the present?" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." appointment with me for six o'clock?" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. at a side door. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Where is it, then?" "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what answer." tell them apart.' dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored lids now and glanced across at his visitor. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Eh? What was that?" "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place could not have written that. It is the German who is so same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "May I see it?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a happened." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "But I have heard all that you have heard." matter." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "She showed me, as I told you she would." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "No sign of it?" from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable the tragedy. locked." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of the coroner come to?" I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the salesman. "And help." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this you in your example." lumber-room." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "The best possible." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Edgeware Road. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three chair. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "I would pay ten." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any the best of training."