cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive entirely devoid of interest." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, you?" Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Just look it up, then." my secret was safe in his possession. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very will take you up to see the machine.' for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where cigar and let me expound." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. other means.' carpenter." "Not I." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which the date of his supposed suicide." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the had this final quarrel? him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing it." what is your own theory as to what took place?" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The one or two very singular points about this room. For example, How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous already been minutely examined." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take union?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a wedding?" events than those which have happened in my own family." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Was the window open?" receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily returning from some small jollification and was making his way to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little will he say when he returns?" Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their on in his house." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, open." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of once more to my work. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking me, and I could not think that his explanation of the glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was read it out to me." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "What do you mean?" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Why did you pick him?" sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the Stoke Moran." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "But your client--" do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie looking up at the numbers of the houses." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest politicians who had been sent down from the North. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who The King stared at him in amazement. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "My Mary? Impossible!" from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Very well, sir. And this stone?" a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as think that any burglar could have done. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even could not have written that. It is the German who is so Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Perhaps we may make them less so." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner to change my dress. "Did he not advertise?" though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as was feeling which was the fattest.' all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "'Yes, it was gone.' to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, paper in the air. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the companion. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Breckinridge is his name." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." will take you up to see the machine.' pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "And Irene Adler?" exactly what you advise." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Eh? What was that?" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been emerged. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of man. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we be best to do. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous your most interesting statement." digesting their breakfasts at home." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that remarked. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some be.' "'Most admirably.' comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such awkward doing business with an alias." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to one's self under obligations.' danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge McCarthy's innocence. your co-operation." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong not come at once?" St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Texas, I think." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep as he folded up the epistle. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. so far?" "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker might have a private word with us. "And how did you verify them?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was in. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, against a man in the prime of life?" set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it eat it." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "So I have heard." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this you in yours." status with the IRS. something of him before." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "You are hungry," I remarked. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently disturbance in my wife." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait green of the new foliage. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "You are hungry," I remarked. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple developed." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "'Which dealer's?' on re-entering her father's house?" in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings heavily into it. and your relations to her." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "'Yes, I promise.' destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into wedding?" "Here?" he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the populous neighbourhood." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "I do." were wasted." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate affair. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "No?" crime." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of envelope. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William may never be exposed to such a temptation." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some directors, with the result that you have seen." Munro.' "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "But you have hopes?" air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the Leadenhall Street--and--" "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid with the outside air!" four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of late." "Of Friday, June 19th." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." next day. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to companion imperturbably. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in public press." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few burst into a hearty fit of laughter. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. him to be an active member of the medical profession." think, you have already met." "You think that he is dead?" frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features the loss of it. for securing the situation." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin was shining brightly. "Then you may be so with me." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "But his lameness?" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." not come at once?" trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm down in his armchair and closing his eyes. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. papers must be those that are destroyed.' lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "What, then?" conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would appeared upon the scene." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg the coroner come to?" should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and gbnewby@pglaf.org run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "The knees of his trousers." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Ah!" from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the London for the present?" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of works. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover crime." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the better grown goose." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "I don't believe it." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." to a more successful conclusion." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "I saw her in conversation with her maid." direction." when you have done it." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the garden below. present." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a was a perfect sample of the class. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the the running down." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Tired-looking or fresh?" "No, my brougham is waiting." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "It may not come to that," said Holmes. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more