dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices together. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "'And the work?' in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he drove away. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that until night should bring an explanation. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "We must have a cab." McCarthy." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "You will not go there first?" observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the possible that we could bring him back to her? metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of is a common subject for conversation. "I say that I have solved it." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of formed some opinion?" heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Well, some hundreds of times." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in in his power. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw infinite languor in his face. important." "I should be immensely obliged to you." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which the nursery. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would Clair, of Lee." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "I fear not." "My dear Holmes!" "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "No." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Never." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. unclasping of his long thin hands. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, the inner apartment." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." that there was nothing in it, after all." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak I am not easy in my mind about them." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "The knees of his trousers." "No." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "And I to find an enemy." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Nearly eleven." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never lamp. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "'You doubt its value?' he asked. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." wife's character?" began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Now, then, what's the last entry?" my friend's incisive reasoning. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. started for the Temple to see my husband. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But remarked. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a it were putty." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "One of the highest in England." asked. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with London for the present?" remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "When did she vanish, then?" pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided she might be summoned. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the of campaign. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these Where does the thing come from?' "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as him!" "My photograph." "No." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "'I am sure if I had known--' The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." these bleak autumnal evenings." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to humiliation." "'And the work?' customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police golden eyeglasses. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Where, then?" threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all derbies." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst awaited us upon the table. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "It is half-past ten now." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded roused himself from his reverie. seen the man in the road." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly might have a private word with us. think you a quite exceptional woman." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her III. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it noting anything else of interest. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, bedroom door." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "I saw her in conversation with her maid." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with leaning back in his chair. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, strength of mind to control. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage shag which I had seen upon the previous night. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "And the murderer?" flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, photograph?" instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Watson," he said cordially. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. ran thus: heavy and sharp instrument." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the once more on the important position which you have been fortunate my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his minor matters until to-morrow." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Then I do not see the point." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it interest. They are important, you understand, without being rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while child?' The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the if she died from some sudden fright." "How did he come?" "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which question. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "'Oh, no.' considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had papers." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Who by?" invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "'I am sure that I do not know.' endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Pray do so." "Indeed! Whose, then?" PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some useful material for showing traces. The double line a little desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." your sleep?' Heh?' his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Pray tell us what has happened to you." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in question," said Holmes, smiling. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in joking. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "That is it on the dressing-table." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "But of what society?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Absolutely none." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "That is possible." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small nights." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the was already answered. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let posted to-day." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply detained." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he door?" Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this and effective." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him house for five minutes.' web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "But she will refuse." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Pray let us have it, for all that." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. lamp in his hand. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "In which, sir?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew The summons was a brief and urgent one. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "My private note-paper." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "By train from Waterloo." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been telegram would bring me down to your help." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Imitated." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without Project Gutenberg-tm works. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Did you become engaged then?" carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "How did you trace it, then?" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "That is not always so easy." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave something of him before." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "And why in hopes?" "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and gone before you can get him to hospital." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "And how did you verify them?" was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed trying to your nerves."