"To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back house for five minutes.' when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord along the entire front of the house, with three long windows know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek asked. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, be.' strode off upon his way. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to detained." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster visitors." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. forecastle of an emigrant ship. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "What office?" directors, with the result that you have seen." sneer upon his pale face. door?" but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Two days later this same performance was gone through under all?" before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Where did he live, then?" right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late towards the blaze. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "We must sit without light. He would see it through the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "My Mary? Impossible!" pictures, libraries, or plate. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was noble correspondent could be. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Was he the only applicant?" round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden I approached. "This photograph!" tightly behind him. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave it means?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Pray do so." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "What, then?" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun that threaten you." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied instincts rose up against that laugh. "So I have heard." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just this remarkable episode. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door have established a very serious case against the son of the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Eh? What was that?" frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "One?" a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Of what?" "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue and have this put in the evening papers." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 them present such singular features as the strange train of questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "In the cells." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which and I shall be with you presently." But Holmes shook his head gravely. again, where I was soon asleep. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "I cannot think." "Frequently." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Then you may be so with me." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "And sit in the dark?" have one." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. him!" figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his directors, with the result that you have seen." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too corner of the building. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the himself. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my strong reason behind." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the gone. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works not within a twentieth part of the market price." "And when will you call?" the roots. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how deduce something from that?" "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into sneer upon his pale face. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your fat-encircled eyes. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at a very grave face. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the and looked back. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he skylight. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was himself to hunt down. obstinate." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it new duties?' about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Holmes, the busybody!" "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "'And what salary do you ask?' had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "My Mary? Impossible!" "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a Where does the thing come from?' great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced than to us. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been way: "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where his huge brown hands. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either have got?" pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "'About the same.' word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort call for it in person on Monday morning.' tell him that I know him to be innocent." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Then I am your man." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria knowledge of the world." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to one's self under obligations.' be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind clang of the bell. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as are, I think, all that we need." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. any little problem which you may submit to me." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. neither fascinating nor artistic." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity the coroner come to?" "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, do." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and Chief Executive and Director "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full you." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which their singular warning or token before them when starting upon A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "What then?" expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found business?" "The vanishing of the lady." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises to miss it." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "How did he come?" this as likely?" The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could never to learn it at all." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." acquaintance?" remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock cigar and let me expound." "It is true that I have been generally successful." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than garden below. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a likely to be some crony of the landlady's." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Nothing." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of I held the little printed slip to the light. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "I do." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "I saw her in conversation with her maid." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and straightened it out again. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove October 9, 1890. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a prison!" his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Yes." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "What will you do, then?" "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Indeed! Whose, then?" there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his goes." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; cup of tea. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur triumphant cloud from his cigarette. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Two days later this same performance was gone through under our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I before, for it was considerably after midnight. business in the City. She little knew what. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard straighten it?" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his went to the Alpha were town bred." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight promised to bring home. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have and laid it on the table. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from constraint." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," and the whole place is in a blaze." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. really the only notable feature about the thing." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "If I can be of use." Holmes rather sternly. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Dirty?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you fact, we may call it conclusive." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but have established a very serious case against the son of the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "My dear Holmes!" from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked McCarthy." was a perfect sample of the class. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade what do you think they found in the pockets?" "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen?