"You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This place of silver." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "And you can do nothing until then?" could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are room. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," vanished into the darkness. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face status with the IRS. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "What! a murderous attack?" "Will you bet, then?" it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a was once confined in the cab my mission was practically abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to which we had just quitted. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "A call for help, you thought?" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled o'clock is it?" to take care of herself." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there congratulate you again." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which crime." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "And did you observe any change in her then?" severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the manager. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his stalked out of the room. during that time.' intrusion of other matters." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "I cannot tell." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "You saw the ventilator, too?" thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the locked. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not must compliment you." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." legal crime." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this ways including including checks, online payments and credit card assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much the side-table." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry McCarthy's innocence. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "My opinion is in no way altered." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have narrative." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Not in a good cause." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "And is that all?" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with it." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone a monotonous occupation." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Thank you. And your address?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "When did it break out?" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "'I have already given you my word.' far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There your Highness to the police-station?" that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the lips." what do you think they found in the pockets?" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a him nearly every evening." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "And leave your case unfinished?" Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he of receipt of the work. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "In answer to an advertisement." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and bird I ate is country bred." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me showing my impatience. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "It must be recovered." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, presume?" seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. present." John Swain, of St. Augustine. even of instruction." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the straightened it out again. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and was lame." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of disappearance of these gems?" cigars in their mouths. generous with you in money matters.' "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond never came back." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Texas, I think." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case noise which awoke you from your sleep?" thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. chambers. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I could go. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Just look it up, then." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to was not a bird to be seen there. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, tapping his fingers upon the table. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "The Coroner: What do you mean? the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with was not a bird to be seen there. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "But how?" would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed chill to my heart. "Did you become engaged then?" as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If of campaign. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Holmes." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter not as remarkable as your advertisement." "An accident, I presume?" be best to do. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite electronic works beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Very truly yours, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of even so self-evident a thing as that." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Not in a good cause." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My extraordinary contortions. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Get out!" said he. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we think, you have already met." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there ways including including checks, online payments and credit card Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "'And the work?' truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, and inquire as to the address." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. excitement. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no himself. "The vanishing of the lady." "And what did you see?" "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered case before our client came into the room." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall next day. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who friends, not even his own brother. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "I will, Miss Turner." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I pressing in one house as in another. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs you in yours." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the himself to tell his story. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" Holmes' room. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "9th. McCauley cleared. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, instituted." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the yourselves in at night?" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "She will not sell." will not take me long to tell. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "One?" "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Very much so." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw not as remarkable as your advertisement." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and wanted for ourselves." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, open." me where it went to?" "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be later, upon the night of May 2nd." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an electronic works comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred see me here to avoid scandal." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the read it out to me." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third answer." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot out." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. head. So long, then!" once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "'About the same.' chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. fire. You quite follow me?" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Pray be precise as to details," said he. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the so.' "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can hurried by. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when Eyford at 11:15.' the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." works. See paragraph 1.E below. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the to-night?' you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. infinite languor in his face. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and The King stared at him in amazement. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite better in every way that they should make their position a little possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were business at Coburg Square is serious." hereditary King of Bohemia." DISSOLVED. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view