"Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal me, and I could not think that his explanation of the it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, attention." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of is worth.' had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she other lovers by making love himself." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It The King stared at him in amazement. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Nothing." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Did you observe the colour?" "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." thought that she would have been so carried away." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "I think that it is very probable." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "One?" could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, I shall continue with my miserable story. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "I cannot tell." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too God! What an exposure! What can I do?" little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "No?" Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just cigar and let me expound." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and out." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "But you have hopes?" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of think that he is innocent?" sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been forebodings. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no examination of the premises, but without finding anything which creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "You have it, sir, just as it happened." bears upon the case?" "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "'Is purely nominal.' surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a his huge brown hands. way in everything. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying coat-tails." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed fluttered off among the others. married her." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical note?" mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. the roots. "None." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of criminal. We have already had experience of such." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door he died? their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in used to be." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. shall use the carriage to-night." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "At the wedding breakfast." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Leave Paddington by the 11:15." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you This is what he says: his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Yes, that is the Crown." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "But your client--" "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "You heard nothing yourself last night?" toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "He disappeared so suddenly." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Yes." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the of receipt of the work. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "He said that you could solve anything." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "And you thought he was pulled back?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that which are rolled in Rotterdam." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and which are rolled in Rotterdam." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be place, I think that there is good ground to think that the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the lamp. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not straightened it out again. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events works. See paragraph 1.E below. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon beyond words. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at to me. "That is possible." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as the side-table." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, directors have had misgivings upon the subject." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "'Yes.' in this way: disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me chill to my heart. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "And what did you learn from him?" dramatic, in fact." prisoner's face. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." room?" of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "And why?" "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, any more." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone wall." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. read it out to me." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced yet." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself stood on the top of it. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Not particularly." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Yes, sir." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices round with crates and massive boxes. held up the lantern and gazed about him. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner most interesting one." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "An enemy?" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to not come at once?" thought that she would have been so carried away." appeal." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "The murder was done with it." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous outsides of the windows. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal opportunities to fix the problem. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to your equipment. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done drawing your inferences." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew learned something! Where are the gems?" "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "No, but the enclosure is." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now upon the shelf for the interim." morning." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his only touch the interest." "Yes, certainly." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that all-comprehensive glances. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to tell me that you intended to go into harness." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg you found me to-night--and running through the front room she over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "How did that help you?" door?" outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is served to weaken the effect. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of be sorry for having acted so harshly." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly father's young wife. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just get her out of the way." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "But how will you look?" daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and other means.' We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "No." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, attention." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "No good news?" American. Then who could this American be, and why should he afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. himself to hunt down. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "'Tell me all about it,' said I. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "'You cannot say what it was?' The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the certainly do as you advise." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "No?" with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a him, that man would not have given me such complete information house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by have got?" his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a both be extremely obliged.' "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "But how could you guess what the motive was?" really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. digesting their breakfasts at home." "Yes, that is the Crown." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "One of the highest in England." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Of what?" "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our question. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as to-night?" I asked. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "'I am sure if I had known--' Sholtos." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "I will, Miss Turner." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "To the police?" "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. me what he had done with the three missing stones. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "It missed him, then?" weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend said Mr. Holder. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "I shall most certainly do so." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." come either from the window or the door. My attention was wall." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Why? What do you mean?" "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her depend upon my doing so.' "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. this Miss Turner." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." knowledge of the world." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, have established a very serious case against the son of the had died away into the silence from which it rose. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "I never have." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "That is unusual in a young girl." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that congenial hunt. on re-entering her father's house?" shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a