will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who know all about it," he snarled. murdered man." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Nothing?" his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Very. But will he see it?" "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Yes." "No, my brougham is waiting." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You your billet.' Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, than was visible to me." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "I was certainly surprised to find you there." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could guilty parties." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Gutenberg-tm License. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, your sleep?' have an American origin." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus arrested. You then--" quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and asked. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "And Miss Sutherland?" for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "But you were on a friendly footing?" "I don't say that. Perhaps." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the arrested. You then--" was a loud and authoritative tap. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall suddenly upon us." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock attention." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "'Quite sure, dad.' locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, or in danger--" set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "One horse?" interjected Holmes. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted was a lad." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too have had none more fantastic than this." "'I have heard so.' that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, way in." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Then you may be so with me." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at ways including including checks, online payments and credit card vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can such attractions and accomplishments?' "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime had died away into the silence from which it rose. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Then I can wait in the next room." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "You are all wrong." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "One of his hands." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it meanly of me." habit of advancing money.' your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Nothing." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' is acting for the best. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the fear." think you a quite exceptional woman." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every over his head with a sweet womanly caress. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind advice." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Nothing." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "Yes, it would be as well." province." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "No bad?" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief off." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Dirty?" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come Pool. you." bled considerably." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Yes." past. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "I see no marks." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I evidence," I remarked. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me Pope's Court. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the copied or distributed: should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same writing, and yet I know it well." "Thank you. Pray proceed." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you you for a few hours?" other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an her also." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "It was an hour's good drive." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no held up the lantern and gazed about him. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "You have carte blanche." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "To ruin me." "Look there!" said he. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Not social, then?" dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' neither fascinating nor artistic." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' felt?" Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very The King stared at him in amazement. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. introspective fashion. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I you understand?" dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in you." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "The Cedars?" depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "The doctor?" people don't know." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the morning." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "I am following you closely," I answered. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that the date of his supposed suicide." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' to go into your room and bar your shutters?" Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. memory. ways of our fellow-men." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "And why?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you guilty one." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as power." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My hurried by. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular for and were ordered to this address. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was you." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Who was the criminal, then?" beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties nice household for a young lady." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be any." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for appointment with me for six o'clock?" said he at last. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "And it is--" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his if only as a check to my own memory." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such undoubtedly my uncle's." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! arms and began to sob in a high treble key. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in leave you to your papers for a little." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Did he not advertise?" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in obstinate." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, galvanised. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Pray do so." call the police, let the police find what they can.' with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock manager. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. the loss of it. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a them?" business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "What!" he roared. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Your sister is dead, then?" in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "The best possible." young Openshaw's." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." bird I ate is country bred." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. had picked up in the wood. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, formed some opinion?" journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always careless servant girl?" hand, madam?" "I shall be delighted." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I approach us with offers to donate. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no digesting their breakfasts at home." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could enter into my head. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "I would give my fortune to have them back." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, young Openshaw's." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "That sounds a little paradoxical." "But not more so than I to find you." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "She told me to ask you." which we had just quitted. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I what is your own theory as to what took place?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord tapping his fingers upon the table. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be said he at last. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "She told me to ask you." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel becomes even more simple." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed appeared upon the scene." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "My own seal." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Absolutely none." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so foot. public press." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they of his shoulders. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." fasten all the windows?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Yes, it was twisted." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the in this way: "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "We were both in the photograph." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "No legal papers or certificates?" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an