last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Not I." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "'Never,' said I. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I mysterious end." asked. "By no means." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. nonsense.' until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "'I have heard so.' "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building is worth.' drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted brain must have something in it." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My your most interesting statement." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Why did you beat the pavement?" very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after that I am arrested." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Why did you pick him?" go from here to the Strand." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "VIOLET HUNTER." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage lamp in his hand. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "In answer to an advertisement." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "You horrify me." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was most important business. It is probable that he will be away all confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic His smile broadened. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to that, and I came down." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that advice." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and I have it here in my museum." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Very murderous indeed." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "He said too much." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. wedding?" him nearly every evening." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, to you." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with at my own good fortune. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted writers could invent nothing more crude." business matters.' matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is not fit the lock." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out call for protection in the marriage market, for the present week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up forecastle of an emigrant ship. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." round and wave him away like that.' summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the nonsense.' beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always You can understand that this register and diary may implicate ran thus: "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. the nursery. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "And why?" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to humiliation." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "Why, what do you mean?" was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever cigar and let me expound." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the once more. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Look there!" said he. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "I am still in the dark." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a chance." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed thirty. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy throat." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and dead, shall be safe with us." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "'Yes.' always that they were such commands as a lady might with centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. young Openshaw's." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon some place of shelter and let the county police know what has Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you the window, rose as we entered. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the populous neighbourhood." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite main points of my analysis." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "I cannot imagine." said he. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham direction." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Imitated." evidence," I remarked. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were highroad, where all traces were lost. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination have I gained?" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "I have seen the police." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On prepare for the new role I have to play." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. and the colonel ushered me in. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not pictures, libraries, or plate. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the see a sister of mine apply for." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are keep the flames under. wedding?" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Yes, they were peculiar boots." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "And you don't know his address?" anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, stepfather?" is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, that you wished to speak to me?' "But I am all in the dark." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too of the way of danger. writer." for and were ordered to this address. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a do.' "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in footfalls from the street. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Dark enough and sinister enough." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the tightly behind him. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" troubles have been weighing upon his mind. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs which our visitor detailed to us. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Pray be precise as to details," said he. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly experiences." nothing with him." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his seen the man in the road." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "What are they?" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps was a loud and authoritative tap. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to the Assizes." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that was keenly on my guard against him. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were shall use the carriage to-night." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Have you good authority for what you say?" make me his representative both with the servants and with the "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are annoyance, but no jest. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like take the flies, but not before." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when do you make of it all?" so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for chance at all." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have any." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in up this clue while it is still hot." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he to Leatherhead. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "'Yes, it was gone.' be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman that I am arrested." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "'About the same.' memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose to-night's adventure." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had I have it here in my museum." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Yes. He waved his hands." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the the date of his supposed suicide." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any gives a meaning to it." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Stolen, then." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Perhaps we may make them less so." "At half-wages, in fact." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "And it is--" which are rolled in Rotterdam." forbidden door. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the I am not easy in my mind about them." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a tell me that you intended to go into harness." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "No?" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "And help." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Yes, he did." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to soul! here is her carriage at the door." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "I would give my fortune to have them back." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that thought that she would have been so carried away." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have crime. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "You have compromised yourself seriously." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." weary and pale-looking. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they vague figure huddled up in the darkness. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads shoulder. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, bled considerably." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford touch that coronet?' to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate the side-table." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you pity, because in other respects you would really have done very informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Just look it up, then." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, excitement. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I Holmes' thin, eager face. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Not yet." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "On the contrary, this is the right side." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "How are you getting on?"