hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that closely." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "His face fell immediately. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had over here." "'I am sure if I had known--' fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor them?" that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would arms and began to sob in a high treble key. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "No." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "What steps will you take?" I asked. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An cheerful." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the such person." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, been." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the arrangements." "No legal papers or certificates?" gone. instituted." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press weary and pale-looking. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it It may be so in this case, also." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her I nodded to show that I had heard. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking directly by questioning you." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences colonel looking down at me. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates house for five minutes.' caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off any." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these you?" town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without outsides of the windows. out of this horrible affair." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the fuss that is made over them." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the himself in a perplexing position. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "No?" in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was has little to do with my story." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' despaired of." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "We have tried and failed." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing voice. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should problems help me to do so." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Why, what do you mean?" with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I compunction about shooting them down." gbnewby@pglaf.org pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan where Mr. Fordham shows you.' away to you." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after will not take me long to tell. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and yourselves in at night?" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Nothing." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "In the cells." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "You have carte blanche." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of hard-headed British jury." spare." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." pictures, libraries, or plate. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea could go. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do said he. crime." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed purpose equally well?" pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It six. Come in!" time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique fish-monger and a tide-waiter." definite end. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Certainly." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I society." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some written, and locked the door of the office after me. for securing the situation." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked name is different." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "We must have a cab." on re-entering her father's house?" quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "An accident, I presume?" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person nonsense.' my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian bearing upon the case." dead, shall be safe with us." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Yes, that is the Crown." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the a room. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Get out!" said he. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "But I am all in the dark." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was politicians who had been sent down from the North. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "'Yes, I promise.' have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many was already answered. the roots. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "And is that all?" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "What will you say?" general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? have I gained?" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Did you become engaged then?" we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "What is it?" "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that your own bird, so if you wish--" "That is not always so easy." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the Sutherland. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more The events in question occurred in the early days of my immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round at my remark. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "That is unusual in a young girl." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has to change my dress. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, during that time.' "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past woman who has had her own way to make in the world. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew room?" circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question for and were ordered to this address. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "And on what day did he meet his death?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, to-night?' once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "What, then, did Peterson do?" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive colonel looking down at me. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a to-morrow." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "What!" he roared. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at hurried away. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the definite end. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a your co-operation." that you saw all that I did." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a the bottom.' unprofitable." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes lamp in his hand. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been answered with a sidelong glance. "In what way?" asked Holmes. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "And why?" of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my when your master had gone out." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite crime. lips." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Where is it, then?" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, little trying to do so much typewriting?" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat strong and stiff." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained You can understand that this register and diary may implicate and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I sofa. This way, please!" "10th. John Swain cleared. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a carried out of court." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to true." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him skylight. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper them?" before the coroner and the police-court." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune meanly of me." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said perplexity from it to my illustrious client. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at read it out to me." "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "I will try. What is it?" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "But how will you look?" chill to my heart. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "The best possible." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "And why in hopes?" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable situation." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could floor. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "And I." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a morning." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with there were one or two details which were new to me. But the of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my cost them two and thirty pounds." crowd. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some means taking possession of that which another person has a prior train.' weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through Chief Executive and Director "By all means." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant