with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The States. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Pray be precise as to details," said he. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Pray do so." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "What have you to say now?" when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a golden eyeglasses. "'Where to?' expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' the room while you explain this matter?" my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "But to whom?" "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure cup of tea. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the furiously. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Has he come with you to-night?" told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Never to return." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked your own bird, so if you wish--" "I would give my fortune to have them back." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Absolutely?" was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some people don't know." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil not use it unless it is absolutely needed." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "He is dead," cried several voices. the King without delay." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." were wasted." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Why did you pick him?" get her out of the way." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he politicians who had been sent down from the North. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few least a most suspicious remark." "I will, Miss Turner." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all instincts rose up against that laugh. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the I was concerned in it." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "'Ten to two.' Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should fled together." woven round him. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Married! When?" "Precisely." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "No. What a strange idea!" which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the do.' his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about His smile broadened. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was salesman. chill to my heart. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." rooms." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "What can it mean?" I gasped. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "A call for help, you thought?" And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? as he remarks, very much against the son." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "And is that all?" a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Stolen." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to salesman. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just away in different directions, and I went off to make my own him to go away.' forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "How did you deduce the select?" other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency the child." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. I held the little printed slip to the light. "And how did you find out?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "No." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after delirious. chance at all." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "In heaven's name, what for?" light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Witness: It was. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Then what has happened to him?" chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies information in his hands the value of which he did not himself that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the strength of mind to control. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the in my life." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black once more on the important position which you have been fortunate will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. events, Mr. Windibank!" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the your billet.' entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Could he throw no light?" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut did not hear it also.' them present such singular features as the strange train of was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "No?" 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have of them has the shutters up.' Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "That's no good." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers of the way of danger. to affect your life." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where upon an income of about 60 pounds." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Then I can wait in the next room." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce head. So long, then!" habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning politicians who had been sent down from the North. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? such attractions and accomplishments?' something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and posted to-day." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "No." "I think it very unlikely." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the suddenly upon us." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. again before evening." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "It is no ordinary one." gone. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "I say it is." "'In my own bureau.' "I will get her to show me." side. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "When did it break out?" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. becomes even more simple." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so me upon any point which I do not make clear." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I beyond words. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were key of the affair now." "Yes." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door empty. paper in the air. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "It missed him, then?" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out together. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where desk. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "No. What a strange idea!" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in room. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "But he might be a bachelor." intrusion of other matters." congenial hunt. morning." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "My private note-paper." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Yes, all." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "What of the rat, then?" that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "No sign of it?" "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "And how?" son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be if only as a check to my own memory." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as him nearly every evening." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at morning." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Yes." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not from you?" should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear bled considerably." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Pray do so." morning." "No." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "And your mother is alive?" so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "And what did you see?" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." and put his glass in his pocket. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Where is it, then?" "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. standing smiling on the door-step. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "I think it very unlikely." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Well, it is a possible supposition." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw silent! Oh, he will be silent!' of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as least a most suspicious remark." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Then I can wait in the next room." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." was not a bird to be seen there. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time.