his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman there has been an enclosure here!" "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "In answer to an advertisement." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is way in." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort experiences." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "So I am. Very much so." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, meant." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of someone who had been in Australia." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Not yet." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it you in yours." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical fluttered off among the others. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to particular state visit http://pglaf.org was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I one of the states of the Union." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss six. Come in!" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Pray do so." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is fact, we may call it conclusive." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and the address that was given us in the advertisement. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of down in his armchair and closing his eyes. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the just called myself is not exactly my own." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Your presence might be invaluable." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "But she will refuse." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless so.' smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Very. But will he see it?" Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house asked with his eyes open. Holmes." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in here." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich opportunities to fix the problem. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. written. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is later, upon the night of May 2nd." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from the stones. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. on re-entering her father's house?" rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "The vanishing of the lady." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his over part of the map. "What do you read?" this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the emerged. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "And why in hopes?" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "But you can know nothing of this?" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "I am in hopes that she does." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I off." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I way in everything. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar Young McCarthy must be got off, however." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "And how did you verify them?" Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was the iron safe, which he closed upon it. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "It missed him, then?" England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there for the market.' enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. followed. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Nothing." goes." "Not particularly." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "And why in hopes?" legal crime." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. more terrible than the truth. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two fatally injured? Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had nice household for a young lady." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off she to prove their authenticity?" As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Not particularly." "You have but to name it." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." was keenly on my guard against him. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as like that before?" think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking and prosperity to your house. Good-night." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I to take care of herself." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "No, distinctly professional." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "But what will you do?" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Young McCarthy must be got off, however." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "I am still in the dark." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold certainly do as you advise." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at where we are going." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where lamp in his hand. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "No?" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down infinite languor in his face. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last the so-precious time, but come!' he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man have not had my rubber." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "I will do it." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge as he remarks, very much against the son." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Yes, only one." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Game for a morning drive?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Tired-looking or fresh?" "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after legal crime." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Certainly, madam." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "I was afraid that you were engaged." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try is worth.' gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; other, as fresh and trim as possible. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. awaited us upon the table. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "'Not at all. I only doubt--' reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Did you become engaged then?" "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "'I am sure that I do not know.' when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Come in!" said Holmes. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the was lame." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "That is it on the dressing-table." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project British peeress.'" "We were both in the photograph." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as what I may call a really hard day's work." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I the room while you explain this matter?" to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five morning." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across which should have the effect of calling the attention of the guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. maiden herself was most instructive." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Entirely." asked. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "It is to him that this trophy belongs." followed. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he away to you." was lame." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin any little problem which you may submit to me." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in burst out into a roar of laughter. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Not particularly." "It is possible." to you." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Yes." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a main points of my analysis." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of business in the City. She little knew what. "'How far from the body?' his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "How many? I don't know." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "I don't say that. Perhaps." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Yes." "What! a murderous attack?" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle cigars in the box." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my mystery!"