that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "You saw the ventilator, too?" and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, was it brought him the coronet? "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Yes." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more place of silver." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, anything to a woman, for she would have her way." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the that "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind behind me. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the enter into my head. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in father's young wife. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better interested in these little problems, and since you are good "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something child?' have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "'Is purely nominal.' "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said I shall communicate with you." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, business in the City. She little knew what. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be of campaign. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and heavy and sharp instrument." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "She will not sell." man. I know him from the photograph." "'I shall certainly be there.' home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but window when the police appeared." chamber." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "I was certainly surprised to find you there." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "I will try. What is it?" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on hardly wander." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you sit on the left-hand side of the driver." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until room. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of meant." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "What then?" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The papers must be those that are destroyed.' "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he furiously. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency the tragedy. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "She will not sell." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or think, you have already met." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. fattened it expressly for you.' that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." more terrible than the truth. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "The gentleman I describe." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. and glanced through. money should be paid at once.' tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "And what did you see?" received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his fluttered off among the others. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Yes, that is the Crown." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every to that open window." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." which are rolled in Rotterdam." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little morning." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the within hail.' a good hundred miles off by now." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Not him." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. second." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "ARAT," I read. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was other lovers by making love himself." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which stepfather?" "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "You have a clue?" shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "'Which dealer's?' "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "The knees of his trousers." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were amused." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether of this gang." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "I have seen the police." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. the night.' brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even Countess of Morcar's?" civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the Eyford at 11:15.' very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice Lee, in the county of Kent." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their and glanced through. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt upon the sideboard." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Yes, that is the Crown." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Then what has happened to him?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this union?" to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "To the police?" answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "'Very good.' Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Texas, I think." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then some water from a caraffe. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official one else, I think." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at mysterious business." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and so far?" hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable careless servant girl?" "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "'Most admirably.' sound at heart." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque test if we have an answer to our advertisement." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the before the coroner and the police-court." papers diligently of late, have you not?" answered with a sidelong glance. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "'Yes, it was gone.' "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat I shall communicate with you." horse could go." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we information in his hands the value of which he did not himself could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised delirious. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "How did you deduce the select?" "By train from Waterloo." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Certainly." 1.E.9. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look skylight. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without future lives." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Yes, that is the Crown." "None." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, sneer upon his pale face. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and had this final quarrel? downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "And I to find an enemy." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming away into the river." "By all means." of." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon woman who has had her own way to make in the world. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he own family. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the face and glided from the room. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "It was an hour's good drive." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Your sister is dead, then?" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "No." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, morning." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Just look it up, then." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key heavy and sharp instrument." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which carpenter." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than was a lad." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That business." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "'Never,' said I. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all bell. Holmes whistled. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Holmes' face clouded over. of." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this bedroom door." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR tapping his fingers upon the table. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Indeed! Whose, then?" "You don't mind breaking the law?" The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great the coronet at all injured?" typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have you, my dear young lady?' "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Very well, sir. And this stone?" the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I opened a pocket-book and took out a note. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have held up the lantern and gazed about him. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then what is your own theory as to what took place?" sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "One of the highest in England." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the he. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold States. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; room?" the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Why did you pick him?" "I saw her in conversation with her maid." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, The note was undated, and without either signature or address. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of you." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he Mrs. Toller serenely. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of the loss of it. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Never." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, beyond words. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Then I can wait in the next room." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very your troubles." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you business." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble presume?" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so memory. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you relief. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "And you can do nothing until then?" the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is