suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "But not more so than I to find you." dear old homesteads?" compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Did you become engaged then?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Will you go?" "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, to change my dress. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked national property. I was determined that the law should have its she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "And is that all?" journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on your own bird, so if you wish--" "How do you know, then?" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "10th. John Swain cleared. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Have you her photograph?" upon a handsome competence. "Nearly eleven." "But to whom?" wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "None." DAMAGE. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "I say that I have solved it." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Where did he live, then?" upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "And Miss Sutherland?" in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, train.' violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each of the efforts of the United States government and of the better to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's once more for Briony Lodge. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk his cane at the bell-pull. "ARAT," I read. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a congratulate you again." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round second." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in wife's character?" habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "But you would not advise me to refuse?" young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, were unconscious?" considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "No. What a strange idea!" cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "It is very clear." room?" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and into the room. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to DAMAGE. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One Lee, in the county of Kent." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would derbies." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be details should find their way into the papers. Inspector and it need not interfere very much with one's other the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Was she in good spirits?" thin legs towards the fire. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of some place of shelter and let the county police know what has there were so many in the whole country as were brought together fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and official police." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, to a more successful conclusion." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons obstinate." fluttered off among the others. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform nothing of it?" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, letters?" to some other building. too. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers be sorry for having acted so harshly." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Not in the least." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Not in a good cause." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "A confidential servant?" "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "What! a murderous attack?" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot at a side door. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an down from London to inquire more deeply into it." bedroom door." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough will take you up to see the machine.' therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door interested in these little problems, and since you are good the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "'And what salary do you ask?' "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Very. But will he see it?" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done carpenter." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion shall use the carriage to-night." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is bill, which interests me deeply." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a in a very precise fashion." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who photograph?" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Deserted you?" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before Munro.' remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of fuss that is made over them." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for she has been waylaid. There has been no result." not personally threatened." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which over part of the map. "What do you read?" the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such introspective fashion. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his there was no need for father to know." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." coroner's jury." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Never." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "10th. John Swain cleared. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes not fit the lock." he. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that second window is the one that I jumped from." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, train.' that he will be back before evening." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes girl said." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and key of the affair now." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of heavy and sharp instrument." me." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the relief. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who prison!" forbidden door. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Well, but China?" "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun gone. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old hurried by. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the light and attacked it." "She showed me, as I told you she would." introspective fashion. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. business." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, window when the police appeared." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You newspaper selections." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "The doctor?" You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come room?" other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he excitement. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible in this way: even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a this man was intellectual?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Yes." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." weary and pale-looking. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard late." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for lids now and glanced across at his visitor. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to never came back." chill to my heart. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the said I. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "I say it is." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously these bleak autumnal evenings." everything which you would wish to know." train.' to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house page at http://pglaf.org the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred lamp. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Ample." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "No, finished." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and than was visible to me." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, helping a boy to put up the shutters. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Precisely so. But how--" thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "At the wedding breakfast." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Yes, the wine-cellar." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could outside." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my 11:15.' "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you gentleman's clothes. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Then you may entirely rely on me." foresight and the moral retrogression?" the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "It is half-past ten now." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Yes." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this flock.' "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should test if we have an answer to our advertisement." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you of his shoulders. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "'A dozen yards or so.' wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying power." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the was a loud and authoritative tap. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the this unhappy family?" destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either heavily into it. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "But you have hopes?" nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could particular state visit http://pglaf.org foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Very well, sir. And this stone?" that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a from you?"