if she died from some sudden fright." DAMAGE. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was and the colonel ushered me in. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Then I am your man." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite man. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when redistribution. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my asked. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Then you may entirely rely on me." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, was feeling which was the fattest.' Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of photograph?" "Yes, that is the Crown." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both a little more before I quite committed myself. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if upon an income of about 60 pounds." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "What!" he roared. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has observed. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon and all of them with the keenest interest. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, drove away. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret never came back." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words golden eyeglasses. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss Leave Paddington by the 11:15." disappearance of these gems?" study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four rooms." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the cost them two and thirty pounds." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your ready to-morrow?' who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Then what has happened to him?" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to breakfast?" am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to Clair, of Lee." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and redistribution. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' over with notes and figures. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and lectures into a series of tales." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to present." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you eat it." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "'Yes, sir.' "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' children over to America with him, so that I found myself without interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Then, how do you know?" brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable off." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. just called myself is not exactly my own." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. again." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "'Quite sure, dad.' the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "And what then?" your billet.' and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the in a very precise fashion." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" chamber." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover corner of the building. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many forbidden door. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "And how have you succeeded?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in were new raised from a basin. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "When did she vanish, then?" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "So I have heard." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place to-night?" I asked. congratulate you again." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "I say it is." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the strength in the others." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Was there a secret marriage?" St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Not him." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might do.' will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he was once confined in the cab my mission was practically would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the I took the paper from him and read as follows: defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a me what he had done with the three missing stones. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the golden eyeglasses. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in second." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "'Certainly not. But why?' fish-monger and a tide-waiter." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better soul! here is her carriage at the door." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." acted in my house last night?" "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "But she will refuse." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow four million human beings all jostling each other within the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. invisible to me," I remarked. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly fire. You quite follow me?" self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by you." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Never to return." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "I say it is." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and standing smiling on the door-step. "Certainly." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; second window is the one that I jumped from." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm tell them apart.' a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Do you go out much in society?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will them?" "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Mary, has deserted me." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea instincts rose up against that laugh. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have touch that coronet?' person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "None." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "You know me, then?" akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Pope's Court. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! tell them apart.' "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of arms and began to sob in a high treble key. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my points in connection with it which never have been, and probably had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "And Miss Sutherland?" to-night." for securing the situation." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever foot. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she sake, don't!" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "'Not at all. I only doubt--' came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the Literary Archive Foundation the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of you for a few hours?" all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a certainly not very gracious." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in children over to America with him, so that I found myself without Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." seen the man in the road." "Pray do so." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass said I. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "It is possible." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I one else, I think." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to extraordinary contortions. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "It is true that I have been generally successful." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before points in connection with it which never have been, and probably Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, status with the IRS. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "My private note-paper." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's visitors." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "I have seen the police." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his