bell. Holmes whistled. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was lost nothing by them." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Stoke Moran." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the details." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the better in every way that they should make their position a little he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if as the one I chose?' "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Where to?" arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "What of the rat, then?" the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune she has been waylaid. There has been no result." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Dr. Becher's." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "And you thought he was pulled back?" to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. business at Coburg Square is serious." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. affair. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "I cannot say that I have." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I colonel looking down at me. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon letters?" make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be in the dead of the night?' brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously against a man in the prime of life?" upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great was a lad." "Yes, I have one waiting." again, where I was soon asleep. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your hopeless attempt at recovering them." this Miss Turner." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a emerged. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions of receipt of the work. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in I have it here in my museum." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my anything to a woman, for she would have her way." developed." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much companion imperturbably. happened." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were take the flies, but not before." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. bonnet, and went out." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Where, then?" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than trying to your nerves." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless gone. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark introspective fashion. "No, but the enclosure is." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office manager. the driver. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "'Yes, it was gone.' his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was friends, not even his own brother. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "'Is purely nominal.' better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "The knees of his trousers." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events experiences." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is know all about it," he snarled. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler electronic works As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What be best to do. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a place, I think that there is good ground to think that the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted everything which you would wish to know." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was your equipment. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I cigar and let me expound." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. room. "Always." to talk it over. "Won't it ring?" carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Witness: Nothing definite. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Why serious?" even of instruction." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End as the one I chose?' "I cannot as yet see any connection." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "But how?" "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange sentimental considerations in the background which would induce business in the City. She little knew what. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, call for protection in the marriage market, for the present manager. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to I leave." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as detective. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all it means?" ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in may never be exposed to such a temptation." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see door?" "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "You forget that I know nothing about it." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations The events in question occurred in the early days of my lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." know that the truth is known." the one as in the other." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. sooner or later she must fall a victim. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few manager. is," said he presently: "And how did you find out?" fat-encircled eyes. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man families. Now for the facts. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the were wasted." "And for present expenses?" myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural the house with me." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the fishes. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "On your arm?" galvanised. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached Mrs. Toller serenely. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold of a light. "And I to find an enemy." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet very morning of my second wedding." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, during that time.' myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little was already answered. will be renamed. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of God! What an exposure! What can I do?" one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Absolutely?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' the morning and make my own way in the world.' "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he of the vacancies.' "My opinion is in no way altered." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the obstinate." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "But his lameness?" rose-bushes. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, amused." "Nothing?" they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "But not more so than I to find you." "'Never.' very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some the bed, and you in that chair." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Nothing?" gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know joking. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "It came here." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever side. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "It certainly sounds feasible." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' whereabouts. to talk it over. done what I asked you, Jones?" "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his arms and began to sob in a high treble key. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came go--none." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten open." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "And it is--" they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "But the mystery?" his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! anything to do with the matter?" confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I appeared upon the scene." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Nothing?" "Deserted you?" forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Gutenberg-tm License. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an Arthur Conan Doyle abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. I. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his nonsense.' over here." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa power." "'I shall certainly be there.' basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "I cannot tell." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, You can understand that this register and diary may implicate Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Yes." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It 1.E.9. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up in one or two places in England?' air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like in this way: first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. feature." but preventing her from injuring another. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as fasten all the windows?" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no along the entire front of the house, with three long windows in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. constraint." as noiselessly as she had come. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend leave you to your papers for a little." congenial hunt. empty. "Was she in good spirits?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman as the one I chose?' has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very plantation.' George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil chance at all." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Imitated." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in him. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the his grey eyes. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I his cane at the bell-pull. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his might have a private word with us. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent goes." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "But how will you look?" go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad,