Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you murdered man." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "I do." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with cost them two and thirty pounds." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the an introduction to him?" equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "What! You do not mean bodies?" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have very old mansion. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all your troubles." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged directly by questioning you." been." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "I am armed." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant gbnewby@pglaf.org "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the This is what he says: "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Seven!" I answered. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Breckinridge is his name." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the was already answered. all-comprehensive glances. felt the room to be a little close.' "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I II. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. back into the street. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. my secret was safe in his possession. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. very morning of my second wedding." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are third from London." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Seven!" I answered. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "That also I could fathom." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Quite so." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to character. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life Holmes' face clouded over. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "But his left-handedness." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "One?" "What?" "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, possible that we could bring him back to her? had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Nor running a chance of arrest?" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my come either from the window or the door. My attention was reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up carriage. It was a chestnut." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your hour?' stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "No, but the enclosure is." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "It is possible." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action examine." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of Sutherland?" suggested at once that there must be a communication between the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "I cannot say that I have." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in you found me to-night--and running through the front room she the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "'Ten to two.' look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and I leave." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few money should be paid at once.' "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was other lovers by making love himself." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "No legal papers or certificates?" many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "No, but the enclosure is." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "And what then?" "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have national property. I was determined that the law should have its himself to tell his story. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "And what did you see?" absorbing." there." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so the stable lane now." "Always." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the This is what he says: been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said appeal." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Then how many are there?" I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a next day. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the problems help me to do so." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey figure." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of of Mr. Rucastle's." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not examine." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! time." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "The decline of his fortunes, then?" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman her also." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. will he say when he returns?" he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring himself in a perplexing position. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "That is possible." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Won't it ring?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at searched, without anything being found which could incriminate address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "I promise," said Holmes. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "One of his hands." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend his eyes and forehead. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he crowd. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had off." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that had this final quarrel? painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "The landlord of the Alpha." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "It was a confession," I ejaculated. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Nothing." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I breakfast." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. already referred to. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not outside." "I will, Miss Turner." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Then, how do you know?" examine." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my call for it in person on Monday morning.' had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the in the port of London." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "'No, I know no one in these parts.' II. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a the little opening for the ventilator is." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the the station." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "I warn you that they are very incomplete." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black handed it to him. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "I say that I have solved it." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. 1.E.9. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "No, distinctly professional." been deceived." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in purpose equally well?" so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your meant it for the best. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "You are all wrong." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always public press." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Not in the least." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him more solid." I am not easy in my mind about them." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he noting anything else of interest. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "I have a cab outside." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom present." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "I think that it is very probable." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough of Mr. Rucastle's." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was when you have done it." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to clanging. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed instituted." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the indiscretion." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the mysterious business." villagers almost as much as their master. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. these bleak autumnal evenings." "But she will refuse." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining indiscretion." "Then you may be so with me." "But what is it you wish?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came imbecility!" he cried. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable it right.' the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Your French gold?" Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." affair. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Yes, I have one waiting." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to dead, shall be safe with us." already referred to. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "That is unusual in a young girl." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "The doctor?" were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from bled considerably." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress investigation." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of with frightened eyes at his accuser. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come