other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to how narrow had been my escape. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "About a month then." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used have not had my rubber." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off of campaign. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from the coroner come to?" surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. of." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His constraint." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and on re-entering her father's house?" IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB breakfast and whispered something to her husband. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "That you are never beaten." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which once more on the important position which you have been fortunate admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Quite so." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from the Friday. Was it to be in church?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had train.' "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you the date of his supposed suicide." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out everything which you would wish to know." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. mystery." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I what do you think they found in the pockets?" Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining vault. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Very much so." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the stood on the top of it. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Sholtos." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could character. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "My opinion is in no way altered." "The best possible." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? go from here to the Strand." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it things are very often connected not with the larger but with the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge that I am arrested." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual shag which I had seen upon the previous night. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire was a loud and authoritative tap. get the tickets." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. you came in." "Nothing." "No legal papers or certificates?" "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. arrested. You then--" to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a pictures, libraries, or plate. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "What have you to say now?" "Where did he live, then?" very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, hour?' you found me to-night--and running through the front room she lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. Holmes' thin, eager face. "'What, the red-headed man?' many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." you." green of the new foliage. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them cause to be." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little what these perils are?" eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is someone who had been in Australia." legal crime." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "It is no ordinary one." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been said Mr. Holder. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "It is true that I have been generally successful." chair. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of allusion to a rat. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the against a man in the prime of life?" the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had to tell." nights." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second a suggestive one." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "No, my brougham is waiting." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms problems help me to do so." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." unclasping of his long thin hands. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments bedroom door." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the again before evening." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "What office?" face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "That is possible." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I mystery!" secret." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." followed. prisoner's face. companion imperturbably. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "'Tell me all about it,' said I. was keenly on my guard against him. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a views." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "So I heard. You have him here?" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Yes, from Horsham." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" more terrible than the truth. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Then he might have called to you?" is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be humiliation." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "And what did you see?" how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, events, Mr. Windibank!" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me business?" Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year province." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant the side-table." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Then I am your man." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "None." It may be so in this case, also." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "None." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Your French gold?" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, vault. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our relation between them, and what the object of his repeated and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, I approached. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has case before our client came into the room." "My opinion is in no way altered." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "No, I am descending." acquaintance?" Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" sofa. This way, please!" Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have frequently gained my first real insight into the character of vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that call the police, let the police find what they can.' before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "And now?" He raised his hand. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully copied or distributed: to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the soul! here is her carriage at the door." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." more terrible than the truth. you came in." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately skylight. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal a monotonous occupation." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still the Assizes." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & existence." wedding?" tell me that you intended to go into harness." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. to a more successful conclusion." "I say that I have solved it." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases his forehead." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Miss Holder?" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "And leave your case unfinished?" house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very out of this horrible affair." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went seven miles from Eyford Station.' the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. papers diligently of late, have you not?" interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Very much so." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering which it had come upon my father." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent of note-paper. It read in this fashion: which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I disappearance of these gems?" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in towards the blaze. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should reach." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have presented which may be striking and bizarre without being Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "It is solved." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the round with crates and massive boxes. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' present." lamp in his hand. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in goes." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "But what harm can there be in that?" Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am begin with, and I had not got mine yet." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in him!" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had over with notes and figures. back to my heart. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "You have it, sir, just as it happened." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "And what did you learn from him?" "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Will you bet, then?" the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but outside." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about Gutenberg-tm License. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such and all of them with the keenest interest. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Then, as to money?" "At the wedding breakfast." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, during which he might have communicated with his friend the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. observed. "No, distinctly professional." friends, not even his own brother. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and handed it to him. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. cup of tea. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a notes," he said. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to them present such singular features as the strange train of dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the