printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Where does the thing come from?' "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a voice, changing her seat as requested. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," them, and came down just as you departed. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of retorted upon me, and I on you." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So deduce something from that?" And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, might help us?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. was shining brightly. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "And why in hopes?" envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the congenial hunt. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be husband's writing, madam." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for intimate personal affairs in this public manner." correct than the official force." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the horse could go." your equipment. and the colonel ushered me in. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" Gutenberg-tm License. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case standing smiling on the door-step. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the my special province." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front think that he is innocent?" once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the impression behind it as though a window had gently closed will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the see a sister of mine apply for." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' wedding?" which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "You horrify me!" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt to-morrow." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "I have a cab outside." correct than the official force." "No, I am descending." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "In answer to an advertisement." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that you do it in twenty minutes!' "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double sneer upon his pale face. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, the side-table." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at matters immensely." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I them, and came down just as you departed. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds not within a twentieth part of the market price." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "It came here." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter not fit the lock." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through heavy and sharp instrument." place no limit on the sum I may draw." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have Pool. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "None." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "How did you deduce the select?" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "On your arm?" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself upon the sideboard." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from him. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was to you." this man was intellectual?" crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed with you?" repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Ample." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "And how did you find out?" ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I what do you think they found in the pockets?" them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" yet." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of singular points about the case. What did the police think of the during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "I will get her to show me." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." walking." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Where is it, then?" morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the have established a very serious case against the son of the usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke cost them two and thirty pounds." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend wall." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself weigh very heavily upon my conscience." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "It came here." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay occupations.' impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I absolutely follow my advice in every respect." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "No legal papers or certificates?" signal between you and your father? is now desirous of getting those letters back." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time a few minutes he said that it would be all right. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Ample." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Have you it here?" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at of the way of danger. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" some terrible trap for her." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman skylight. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "No sign of it?" no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. It may be so in this case, also." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "'And the work?' to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort you for a few hours?" the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" fasten all the windows?" sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you system of imprisonment?" stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Then I do not see the point." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Texas, I think." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. colonel looking down at me. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Bought." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders disappearance of the bride.'" indeed which he could not unravel. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east new duties?' Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left national property. I was determined that the law should have its age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who means taking possession of that which another person has a prior little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to Sholtos." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "One of his hands." me upon any point which I do not make clear." chance." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire means taking possession of that which another person has a prior direction." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "I cannot imagine." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his Sholtos." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a row." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "And I say east," said my patient. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture have an American origin." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Two days later this same performance was gone through under copied or distributed: McCarthy." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet my former friend and companion. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Nothing." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "When did she vanish, then?" position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, bell. Holmes whistled. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense returning from some small jollification and was making his way perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "But his left-handedness." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "He is dead," cried several voices. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of said he at last. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour plantation.' "I warn you that they are very incomplete." true." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle even of instruction." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "To an end?" a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever upon a handsome competence. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. and it need not interfere very much with one's other "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of would apply.' know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "No, but the enclosure is." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the there in twenty minutes." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob approach us with offers to donate. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. whereabouts. Chief Executive and Director purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and that he will be back before evening." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply politicians who had been sent down from the North. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. of this gang." a very grave face. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have and looked back. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "I know where it is." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was rose-bushes. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very call for it in person on Monday morning.' the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "I would pay ten." "'Ample.' widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad point in the dark hollow of his hand. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern