"'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Do you know him?" poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "So it appears." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "We were both in the photograph." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "'I am sure that I do not know.' You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, and the whole place is in a blaze." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to know what is wrong with it.' "By train from Waterloo." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Come in!" said Holmes. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "I was sure that I might rely on you." prison!" wedding?" swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "And why?" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Then I am your man." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with front of me. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique ago." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in status with the IRS. "Was your sister dressed?" accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to someone who had been in Australia." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "I beg pardon." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of be there in time for your coming." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes pressing in one house as in another. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and undoubtedly my uncle's." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "How long did she speak to this Alice?" that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has once more. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under and all of them with the keenest interest. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester problems help me to do so." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "But you have hopes?" were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a directors have had misgivings upon the subject." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo situation." "'And the work?' closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the been with you?" "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that upon a handsome competence. away into the river." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open His smile broadened. "Deserted you?" "At what time?" don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Entirely." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has could not have written that. It is the German who is so always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. village inn over there?" believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that success. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door round with crates and massive boxes. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." served to weaken the effect. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Very murderous indeed." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "You have compromised yourself seriously." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers dramatic, in fact." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. his wife has ceased to love him." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of bearing upon the case." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Just look it up, then." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "But your client--" woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "I beg pardon." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." tail." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that spare." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations overpowering excitement and concern. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. companion. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." strength in the others." out." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Tired-looking or fresh?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." manager. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he once more. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' posted to-day." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "The Cedars?" have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "If I can be of use." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." tell him that I know him to be innocent." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "But she will refuse." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be emerged. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Can I be of assistance?" in the hope of finding them." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had less than 26s. 4d. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with not within a twentieth part of the market price." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very as he folded up the epistle. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Foundation "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business of campaign. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the noble correspondent could be. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the new acquaintance to Baker Street. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Did you observe the colour?" steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "I have seen the police." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Ha! you find it so?" floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin triumphant cloud from his cigarette. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done hands. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "To the police?" robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." about here speaks of his kindness to him." suddenly upon us." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "'I have heard so.' "And when will you call?" the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage four million human beings all jostling each other within the get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "I am following you closely," I answered. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "She will not sell." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed throat." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black it? Did I buy the geese off you?" in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. mysterious business." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, information in his hands the value of which he did not himself together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same knowledge of the world." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most future lives." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "When did she vanish, then?" "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if wanted for ourselves." "'As governess?' "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would against a man in the prime of life?" a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "'What would be the hours?' I asked. Dr. Gregory B. Newby long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a past. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few undoubtedly my uncle's." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I trifles." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man this unhappy family?" forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, the warnings." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." sneer upon his pale face. will be renamed. "Yes." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "To ruin me." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "'And what are they worth?' I asked. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close present strange and interesting features that it is no easy in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I families. Now for the facts. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in and a shock of very red hair. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall is acting for the best. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at better in every way that they should make their position a little "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Indeed! Whose, then?" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been happened." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I to some other building. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, other lovers by making love himself." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose results." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and papers." your co-operation." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "There is the writing." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Very murderous indeed." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "My last client of the sort was a king." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before society." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it hands. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, rose-bushes. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, suspect him." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called present." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "'Which dealer's?' "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "I am sure." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. was already answered. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "It is a murder, then?" settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. criminal. We have already had experience of such." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must lids now and glanced across at his visitor. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and crackling voice. "Not particularly." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel