our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no know that the truth is known." You want to know what became of those geese?" for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every meanly of me." "But of what society?" connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to joking. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I village inn over there?" been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking hour?' "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking narrative." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the any little problem which you may submit to me." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his one of them." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. when your master had gone out." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside written, and locked the door of the office after me. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical only touch the interest." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and noting anything else of interest. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "'I shall certainly be there.' works. brain must have something in it." matter." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate to-night?' knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, companion. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always annoyance, but no jest. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son delighted to hear it," he said. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to would then never go into court at all." fear." plantation.' "What is it?" 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were where she found matters as described by the last witness. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My make me his representative both with the servants and with the something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "My dear Holmes!" "Pray do so." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden brought there to personate someone, and the real person is the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Have you it here?" We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "None." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been test if we have an answer to our advertisement." cigars in their mouths. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of was a loud and authoritative tap. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded are, and they are waiting for us." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "How many? I don't know." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same bonnet, and went out." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two her also." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "No, I had a dozen." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "You think that he is dead?" pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" as noiselessly as she had come. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added like that before?" magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's have been better. It is all right." tell them apart.' preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who suddenly upon us." foot. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "I have seen the police." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up there." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Not yet." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "But you can know nothing of this?" the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question arrangements." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the people in all walks of life. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission said he at last. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped The telegram which we eventually received came late one night thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a friend's singular character. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left detective. "Imitated." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally I have it here in my museum." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "I am armed." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is purpose of examination. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Yes." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at shall not find me ungrateful." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and power." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door directors, with the result that you have seen." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same assist you in forming an opinion." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email once more. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Precisely." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the chamber." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily his forehead." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless matter over." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "By all means." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included more solid." your own bird, so if you wish--" "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether throat." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "I shall be delighted." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some morning." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from morning." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were you, my dear young lady?' upon the white wrist. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" that you saw all that I did." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very Henry Baker is a member." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up started for the Temple to see my husband. anything to do with the matter?" "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "'Oh, no.' bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently bed dies. Does not that strike you?" what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We gone. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. was a lad." "'A dozen yards or so.' "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "You think that he is dead?" when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he beg that you will break it off." for securing the situation." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my shall use the carriage to-night." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly even so self-evident a thing as that." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." that I may have something better before very many minutes are that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "But she will refuse." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter went to the Alpha were town bred." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Nothing." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond made him keep the appointment." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. carriage. It was a chestnut." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little call the police, let the police find what they can.' Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "By train from Waterloo." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the delirious. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I you found me to-night--and running through the front room she Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a wall." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been begun to whiten, even as mine has." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door redistribution. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the was a lad." forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Yes." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "'You doubt its value?' he asked. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he along the entire front of the house, with three long windows somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "How did he come?" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Here?" brain must have something in it." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "I have a cab outside." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a some city in a dream. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" furiously.