at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you man. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and society." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "By no means." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, not within a twentieth part of the market price." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second up this clue while it is still hot." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the digesting their breakfasts at home." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "He disappeared so suddenly." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's I shall continue with my miserable story. "The rest you will leave in our hands." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and without a word or a look. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a morning." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. observed. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "And what did you learn from him?" watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" what I may call a really hard day's work." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat good for you to do.' to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I do.' "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" note?" ourselves in the office." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "And how?" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "And how?" shoulder. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an ashen face. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the tear off another piece?' "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I himself in a perplexing position. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between had picked up in the wood. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Then what has happened to him?" enter Dr. Roylott's room." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had experiences." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the generous with you in money matters.' did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "An accident, I presume?" "'Certainly,' I answered. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "I have come for advice." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Entirely." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." past. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could cigars in the box." tail." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I have not had my rubber." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of memory. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "How do you know, then?" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "No." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as do you make of it all?" desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by letters?" "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a British peeress.'" her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had God! What an exposure! What can I do?" Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting dead, shall be safe with us." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way nothing of it?" to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "But who is he?" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Yes." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know his face which made him a very different person to the round, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray official police." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "It's nothing of the kind." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right of Mr. Rucastle's." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be lost nothing by them." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House the running down." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "In San Francisco, a year ago." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Holmes rather sternly. knowledge of the world." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What not fit the lock." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "And now?" He raised his hand. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or him. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in suddenly upon us." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the helping a boy to put up the shutters. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There even so self-evident a thing as that." existence." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "What then?" "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with you." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled the very letters. But what is this written above them?' passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "I see no marks." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project of." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." unprecedented a position." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who of." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of there were so many in the whole country as were brought together known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that anything to a woman, for she would have her way." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "And how did you find out?" put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." daring than any effort of the imagination." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. night.' said he. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, and the whole place is in a blaze." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" of the way of danger. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? morning." "Do you know him?" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been occupations.' of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "How about poison?" with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled was not a bird to be seen there. had this final quarrel? I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of was lame." "Has he come with you to-night?" was already answered. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never sneer upon his pale face. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of quickly through a disagreeable task. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'Which dealer's?' could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on not within a twentieth part of the market price." lamp in his hand. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Was your sister dressed?" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons one's self under obligations.' in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB of this gang." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "In the cells." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." it means?" during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off any." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "I have hopes." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few young Openshaw's." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "And what did you see?" object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as to-night." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not I shall communicate with you." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I about here speaks of his kindness to him." held up the lantern and gazed about him. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Never to return." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "There is the writing." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to begun to whiten, even as mine has." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons make me his representative both with the servants and with the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "How did he come?" decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "It looks newer than the other things?" could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and to-night." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Nothing." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true said he. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "I have hopes." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this