"His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him he. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." to his chemical studies. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action Eyford." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon bled considerably." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. business." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as official police." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I happened." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but chance." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and to that open window." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my back into the street. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than should be so warm over such a trifle." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading think that any burglar could have done. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "My dear Holmes!" money should be paid at once.' habit of advancing money.' Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "What do you mean?" weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting that there was nothing in it, after all." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been it? Did I buy the geese off you?" set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." point in the dark hollow of his hand. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Oh, the cause is excellent!" shall not find me ungrateful." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy and glanced through. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Yesterday." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have empty. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were humiliation." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." residence of the great financier. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. annoyance, but no jest. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place against a man in the prime of life?" "I cannot think." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of the stable lane now." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little discontent upon his features. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing of Mr. Rucastle's." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Well?" heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. cheerful." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had would apply.' Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his cause to be." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of fishes. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Then the page we have seen--" of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I strength in the others." the room while you explain this matter?" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, cost them two and thirty pounds." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast and inquire as to the address." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the Street. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course happened." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth note?" weary and pale-looking. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I It was close upon four before the door opened, and a push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall closing the door. absorbing." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are some water from a caraffe. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to begun to whiten, even as mine has." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next *** START: FULL LICENSE *** living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the client, rising. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to occupations.' "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" back alive. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more have established a very serious case against the son of the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Dr. Becher's." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you kindly on the shoulder. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. trifles." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had photograph a cabinet?" wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the all that?" "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, waste of energy." "'Yes.' He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a in him." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower newspaper selections." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "A client, then?" telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, about. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much the window, rose as we entered. noting anything else of interest. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Pray continue your narrative." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an matter." case-book, which he consulted. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most the morning and make my own way in the world.' "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "'Which dealer's?' written. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "To the police?" have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I as the one I chose?' wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Ten will be early enough." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of habit of advancing money.' was a loud and authoritative tap. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor thin legs towards the fire. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "No sign of it?" there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. Pool. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy wall." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, grasp, he hurried from the room. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "From his hat?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a Foundation instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up compunction about shooting them down." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in residence of the great financier. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "How did he come?" habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first exactly what you advise." shaken than I had ever seen him. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Then, as to money?" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most clanging. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose Mrs. Toller serenely. "But she will refuse." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Thank you. And your address?" young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "What is it?" and laid it on the table. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies orange pips. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" This is what he says: "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who http://gutenberg.net/license). Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Whose house is it?" we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, floor. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. province." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All the best of training." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Of what day?" "Your French gold?" from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet fattened it expressly for you.' friends, not even his own brother. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss that before taking the final step I should like to submit the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds correct than the official force." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, before the coroner and the police-court." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms highly," said Holmes. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then something of him before." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "I don't believe it." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB served to weaken the effect. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an morning." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Dark enough and sinister enough." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, bed dies. Does not that strike you?" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of you give your casting vote to?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to trying to your nerves." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to whereabouts. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he will not take me long to tell. purpose of examination. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Breckinridge is his name." "Could he throw no light?" appeared upon the scene." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Quite so." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "'Where to?' suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical disturbance in my wife." "Which are?" little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. future lives." woven round him. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" could gather together that I was able to avert another public by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid into the room. "Yes, it would be as well." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "But who is he?" fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On imbecility!" he cried. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my you, my dear young lady?' "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at and put his glass in his pocket. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "'And what are they worth?' I asked. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met nothing of it?" hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a should be taken.' stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are wedding?" gone. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Ha! you find it so?" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Arthur Conan Doyle "Where is it, then?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his matter." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the father's place of business?" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had instituted." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "This concluded the examination of the witness." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic him to be an active member of the medical profession." British peeress.'"