"His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin crime. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which quite distinctive." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "'Very good.' chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Then he might have called to you?" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "It is possible." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been hurried by. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "It is possible." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." gone. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of all that?" "If so, much may have happened between." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way any little problem which you may submit to me." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" are, I think, all that we need." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk a very grave face. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a I held the little printed slip to the light. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, child?' glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" happened." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can distance from the station, and there we found the young lady the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Could he throw no light?" Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which at my remark. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "What do you make of that, Watson?" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely gigantic client. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the in the dead of the night?' upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "I see many objections to any such theory." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "I am all attention, madam." "Yes, he did." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Why did you pick him?" round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "And is that all?" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "A client, then?" until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "That sounds a little paradoxical." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Very well, sir. And this stone?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "What!" he roared. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the astonishment. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per there when the Rucastles went away." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Munro.' was already answered. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "It looks newer than the other things?" "Yes, all." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Yes." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "But how could you guess what the motive was?" now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously very old mansion. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "But it has twice been burgled." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down it. this as likely?" with her." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may lumber-room." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "How often?" possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook the King without delay." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more chemical work which was so dear to him. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Nothing." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we cup of tea. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge to a more successful conclusion." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "What shall I do?" "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "I cannot say that I have." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up if I call to-morrow?" indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Yes, he did." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "That was it, sir." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "I should like to see him very much." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over it. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt directors have had misgivings upon the subject." speckled band?" dramatic, in fact." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "He disappeared so suddenly." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were interests were the same as his." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. and capable of preserving a secret.' felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a waste of energy." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," and it need not interfere very much with one's other weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "I cannot say that I have." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room to miss it." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and as he remarks, very much against the son." "'Entirely.' cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, to me. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "And you don't know his address?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "I cannot think." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Tired-looking or fresh?" When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes key of the affair now." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and other means.' have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached is a common subject for conversation. easy-going way." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us the one as in the other." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each trifles." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." said he. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said of the vacancies.' entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "The murder was done with it." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "And it is--" drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "'Entirely.' "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in back alive. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Yes." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry happened." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, colonel looking down at me. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "'No, I know no one in these parts.' greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Did he not advertise?" the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger be best to do. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "I fear not." "But he might be a bachelor." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "It was an hour's good drive." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "I should be immensely obliged to you." the date of his supposed suicide." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. you?" Chief Executive and Director "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself walking." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about colonel looking down at me. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "But we can't all be." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, with frightened eyes at his accuser. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very future lives." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "And what did you learn from him?" little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning pressing in one house as in another. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" use an arc-and-compass breastpin." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. to have that photograph." "And how have you succeeded?" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "But we can't all be." was not a bird to be seen there. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap him." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has be. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps the room while you explain this matter?" air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were been shamefully used." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it as he folded up the epistle. washing it down with a long draught of water. when your master had gone out." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' anything to do with the matter?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read himself to tell his story. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as room?" but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's American. Then who could this American be, and why should he air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "I was mad--insane." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, was shining brightly. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which started for the Temple to see my husband. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two as he remarks, very much against the son." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. breakfast?" always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of deduce something from that?" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider for the market.' "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the telegram would bring me down to your help." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Well?" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Just look it up, then." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "But I have heard all that you have heard." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Here?" A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "And did you observe any change in her then?" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Nor running a chance of arrest?" possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only be there in time for your coming." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Where is it, then?" soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "And leave your case unfinished?" as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads chance." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" sake, don't!"