furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise be. McCarthy." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," clanging. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." late!' drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." future lives." see me here to avoid scandal." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen been lifted and conveyed somewhere." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. beyond words. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole of." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets been anything against him. He had for years been known as a him!" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is from the brougham. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Married! When?" your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my row." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, she slowly sank and died without having recovered her very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" hurried away. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "It is no ordinary one." "A client, then?" "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Whose house is it?" have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One upon the sideboard." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. three fields round his house, and there he would take his digesting their breakfasts at home." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Married! When?" "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Count Von Kramm." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might followed. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Yes." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining next day. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "It was a confession," I ejaculated. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events national property. I was determined that the law should have its himself. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "How long did she speak to this Alice?" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to hand, madam?" "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That interest. They are important, you understand, without being Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "'What would be the hours?' I asked. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my said I. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" and files of the old papers, following the future career of every fear." quite distinctive." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the and have this put in the evening papers." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I feature." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." http://gutenberg.net/license). "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "I see no marks." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' children over to America with him, so that I found myself without of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with deduce something from that?" "Stolen, then." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, hopeless attempt at recovering them." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his used to be." "Always." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there went to the Alpha were town bred." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. towards the blaze. do." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now within hail.' ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." which are rolled in Rotterdam." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." foresight and the moral retrogression?" home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know door?" "You don't mind breaking the law?" "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "No, distinctly professional." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of once more. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about should be taken.' "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Your French gold?" case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Do you go out much in society?" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. shall use the carriage to-night." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to be. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "But who is he?" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Why? What do you mean?" dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric particular state visit http://pglaf.org upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be not, dad?" she asked. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You least a fellow-countryman. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This was feeling which was the fattest.' now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, that "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have such attractions and accomplishments?' 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the country, and eventually married, without anyone having a twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Yes." "I am all attention, madam." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "'Yes, I promise.' Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country murdered man." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. call you and give you the chance." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their in darkness. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "How can you tell that?" purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp straightened it out again. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she details should find their way into the papers. Inspector one which it was hard to resist. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave shag which I had seen upon the previous night. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who my former friend and companion. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "It is possible." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "And now?" He raised his hand. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, ordinary clothes on?" against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day down in his armchair and closing his eyes. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have then?" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "'Then let me do so?' strode off upon his way. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Her father is very rich?" considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." dates and names. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the posted to-day." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an shaken than I had ever seen him. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering as this. Pray let me have the details." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between neither fascinating nor artistic." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. chambers. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his bird of prey. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the was already answered. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment strong and stiff." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "'A dozen yards or so.' for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "They are typewritten," I remarked. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." thin legs towards the fire. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "'What do you call purely nominal?' was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the one's self under obligations.' charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could mysterious business." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "From his hat?" to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than rose-bushes. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the weary and pale-looking. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see records." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me cup of tea. was it brought him the coronet? is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "What then?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire 1.F. "So I am. Very much so." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises your bag." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment stalked out of the room. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "No." back to my heart. rat could hardly pass through." strong and stiff." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "9th. McCauley cleared. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about beg that you will break it off." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had envelope. murdered man."