down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" for the market.' through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the became a certainty. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of leaning back in his chair. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it guilty one." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "None. Neville wrote those words." "What! a murderous attack?" for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: several quiet little villages up there." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "And how did you find out?" leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side characteristics, but those are the more obvious." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry call for it in person on Monday morning.' the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "But his lameness?" my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Nothing." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the hardly wander." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely and wait." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "I am to be neutral?" arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "'How far from the body?' now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, indiscretion." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us imbecility!" he cried. "'What do you call purely nominal?' "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "'There is a drive, then?' me what he had done with the three missing stones. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a the side-table." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always said he. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. meant it for the best. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." I was concerned in it." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "When did she vanish, then?" unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the way in everything. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "I am about to be married." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the results." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "That is unusual in a young girl." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his direction." "It is solved." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the again." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure the so-precious time, but come!' "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point Foundation fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered observed. noting anything else of interest. followed. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "You have but to name it." "An accident, I presume?" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Certainly." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "But I am all in the dark." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "By train from Waterloo." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "He disappeared so suddenly." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the exactly what you advise." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Can I be of assistance?" horse could go." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the as the one I chose?' "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Yes, certainly." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, habit of advancing money.' slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, to a light-house. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we been shamefully used." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to nonsense.' with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "And why in hopes?" round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line least a fellow-countryman. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Then you may entirely rely on me." "No." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I happened." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "I was sure that I might rely on you." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you breakfast." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point intimate personal affairs in this public manner." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given envelope. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are is a common subject for conversation. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the the Assizes." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite appeal." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "This photograph!" keep the flames under. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She correct than the official force." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that disturbance in my wife." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. weighed down with some great anxiety. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as problems help me to do so." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, will he say when he returns?" happened." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce present." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "And how did he make his money?" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Certainly." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "'Yes, I promise.' the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "'Then let me do so?' You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Pray tell us what has happened to you." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Witness: It was. "Then I can wait in the next room." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the arrested. You then--" might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case charge against him will break down." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We least a fellow-countryman. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I look upon these things in a different way." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the interest. They are important, you understand, without being headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated business in the City. She little knew what. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for who was a member of your goose club." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in works. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a been lifted and conveyed somewhere." my special province." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his might have a private word with us. in one or two places in England?' danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. License. You must require such a user to return or that?' - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies I shall continue with my miserable story. him!" "Of what?" lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another woman." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Yes, but only for you and me." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Street. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "It came here." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Get out!" said he. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of existence." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, at home. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. not within a twentieth part of the market price." hour?' should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "It is solved." "'What do you call purely nominal?' edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "What! Had he lost his wife?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "What is it, then--a fire?" now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "A confidential servant?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which reach." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if a good hundred miles off by now." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" records." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double round with crates and massive boxes. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to of Fenchurch Street." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against ordinary clothes on?" which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Your presence might be invaluable." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "What is it?" only touch the interest." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come empty. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly empty. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "'And what are they worth?' I asked. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to fatally injured? "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already never came back." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "I am sure." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm papers on the sundial.'" friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I had died away into the silence from which it rose. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must been." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, delighted to hear it," he said. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, front of me. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the brandy and water within his reach. yet." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts rat could hardly pass through." present." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here that there was nothing in it, after all." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "I have solved it." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came lips." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" business matters.' "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" which should have the effect of calling the attention of the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and would then never go into court at all." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "But I have heard all that you have heard." fatally injured? "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can was a lad." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not one or two very singular points about this room. For example, deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were