once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, him." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was returned to France?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet was a loud and authoritative tap. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the yourselves in at night?" his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "What! You do not mean bodies?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "That is not always so easy." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. cigars in the box." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Then, as to money?" "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Perhaps I have." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you some place of shelter and let the county police know what has there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated breakfast?" the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. the house with me." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case other means.' Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and made his money." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Nothing?" "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that someone who had been in Australia." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for not interfere, come what may. You understand?" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the the coronet at all injured?" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Breckinridge is his name." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport than was visible to me." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not the best of training." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, we went to search for him, face downward in a little always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." For additional contact information: top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers perplexity from it to my illustrious client. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the the salesman. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should Eyford." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. back alive. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the again before evening." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. way in everything. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Stoke Moran?" said he. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "What do you make of that, Watson?" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "It is possible." residence of the great financier. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "I was afraid that you were engaged." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. conduct the inquiry." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "How do you know, then?" giving me time to thank him. said I. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second very peculiar words of the dying woman?" against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." woman." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "None. Neville wrote those words." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" even so self-evident a thing as that." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window bell. Holmes whistled. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, woman who has had her own way to make in the world. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. never came back." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it the stones. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. other lovers by making love himself." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable been anything against him. He had for years been known as a from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "And what did you see?" "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "What is it, then--a fire?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up papers diligently of late, have you not?" been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs behind me. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing American. Then who could this American be, and why should he rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something friend's singular character. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for and that he would see to anything that turned up. is," said he presently: "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I sparkled upon his finger. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat into her hand at the door and which lured her within their of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "'What, the red-headed man?' last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And is so. I know all about McCarthy." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered green of the new foliage. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "At the wedding breakfast." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Not him." "'In my own bureau.' posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "No sign of it?" latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "And what then?" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of presented which may be striking and bizarre without being friend's singular character. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "That you are never beaten." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up shall not find me ungrateful." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "And your father? Did you tell him?" Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "No legal papers or certificates?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began shag which I had seen upon the previous night. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "You have but to name it." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to bed dies. Does not that strike you?" the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event point in the dark hollow of his hand. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Well?" "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the carried out of court." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle despaired of." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over and effective." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of come either from the window or the door. My attention was minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I feature." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I It may be so in this case, also." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, forbidden door. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' occupations.' think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because points in connection with it which never have been, and probably my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having hopeless attempt at recovering them." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a questioning and rather startled gaze. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "He said too much." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Certainly." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "You think so, too?" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced to me. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "What will you do, then?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother danger is over." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," goes." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together charge against him will break down." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to weigh very heavily upon my conscience." seem to you to be relevant or not." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not said I. Again Holmes raved in the air. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "That is unusual in a young girl." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Was your sister dressed?" and that he would see to anything that turned up. disappearance of the bride.'" who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which of the way of danger. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "An accident, I presume?" perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Leadenhall Street--and--" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "You are hungry," I remarked. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will confronted him. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" stood on the top of it. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, o'clock is it?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "I should be immensely obliged to you." crackling voice. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, the child." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition could go. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the again before evening." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "I was afraid that you were engaged." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here daring than any effort of the imagination." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions I shall continue with my miserable story. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I the room while you explain this matter?" perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "ARAT," I read. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he was it brought him the coronet? "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Absolutely?" wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. I. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the threw himself down with his face to the pillow. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since in a very precise fashion." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "You will not go there first?" habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and absorbing." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his thin legs towards the fire. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong of Fenchurch Street." there when the Rucastles went away." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "And your father? Did you tell him?" "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "I cannot say that I have." relief. crime." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, know all about it," he snarled. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as arrested. You then--" as he folded up the epistle. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Do you know him?" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little already been minutely examined." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Young McCarthy must be got off, however." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my introspective fashion. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." next day. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "What have you to say now?" Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was 11:15.' husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, meanly of me." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I certainly not very gracious." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord ran thus: "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "And it is--" the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been