"Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "I saw her in conversation with her maid." conclusions. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, the little opening for the ventilator is." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed *** START: FULL LICENSE *** in a friendly supper." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose was shining brightly. McCarthy's innocence. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was woman who has had her own way to make in the world. bird of prey. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the in a friendly supper." individual and becomes the badge of a society." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family she slowly sank and died without having recovered her keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "No good news?" public press." "This photograph!" "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three get her out of the way." "'Oh, no.' upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Were they all fastened this morning?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A where Mr. Fordham shows you.' turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened heavy and sharp instrument." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. interested in these little problems, and since you are good Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and national property. I was determined that the law should have its commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy throat." "Do you know him?" that he will be back before evening." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the do you make of it all?" "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. system of imprisonment?" appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "A call for help, you thought?" me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle is," said he presently: ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as Heh?' "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "'In my own bureau.' face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing true." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "No." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "'Never,' said I. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "'Is purely nominal.' the King without delay." reach." "You horrify me." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began train.' "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible shall use the carriage to-night." union?" "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "9th. McCauley cleared. weary and pale-looking. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "I cannot imagine." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "An accident, I presume?" little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "By no means." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. foresight and the moral retrogression?" long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "My opinion is in no way altered." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered that had no one to advise her at such a crisis." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out this Miss Turner." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "I cannot think." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation and effective." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Perfectly so." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which maiden herself was most instructive." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of been deceived." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide o'clock is it?" problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless your Highness to the police-station?" freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest minor matters until to-morrow." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "What I expected to see." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps guilty one." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of go back?" be.' conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it man. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "His face fell immediately. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my the date of his supposed suicide." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "What are they?" had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "I cannot say that I have." "'In my own bureau.' just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" ill-usage at the hands of fortune. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I said Mr. Holder. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be such attractions and accomplishments?' "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "What steps will you take?" I asked. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Then, as to money?" uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting think, you have already met." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "No. What a strange idea!" star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. I approached. I approached. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady you came in." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I to have that photograph." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "In the cells." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "'Where to?' very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts crime." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Yes." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through orange pips. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the criminal. We have already had experience of such." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "'I have already given you my word.' "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all think you a quite exceptional woman." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my strong and stiff." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Quite so." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house interest. They are important, you understand, without being stammered. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could that you saw all that I did." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain happened." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "You are certainly joking, Holmes." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "And how?" ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "It certainly sounds feasible." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could be there in time for your coming." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of the stones. any." an introduction to him?" "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "On Monday." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Pray do so." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being is four-and-twenty." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The your troubles." 'please.'" lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a nonsense.' back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has that he has suffered." the window, rose as we entered. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that your Highness to the police-station?" lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles you for a few hours?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside never will be, entirely cleared up. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and said he, "my real name is James Ryder." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "How often?" the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Of Friday, June 19th." arrangements." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "She will not sell." just called myself is not exactly my own." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out tied." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room hour." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that Chief Executive and Director it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, corner of the building. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young way in everything. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Stolen." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it intimate personal affairs in this public manner." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to following enigmatical notices: "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have place of silver." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both to affect your life." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "By all means." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and empty. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating me. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." direction." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then Project Gutenberg-tm works. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or any more." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "No, my brougham is waiting." "Yes, certainly." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of himself. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do The summons was a brief and urgent one. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some Eyford at 11:15.' man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the