Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works I nodded again. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "But how?" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always point in the dark hollow of his hand. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I said I. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting the iron safe, which he closed upon it. ordinary clothes on?" "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the I have it here in my museum." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, that?' best detective that ever lived. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, dates and names. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "None. Neville wrote those words." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a me." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Holmes. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the appeared upon the scene." speckled band?" which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who lumber-room." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning you for a few hours?" "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb any little problem which you may submit to me." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of fluttered off among the others. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in and looked back. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, delighted to hear it," he said. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the status with the IRS. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." fatally injured? education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside directors, with the result that you have seen." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for her also." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and fled together." bird I ate is country bred." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, did not hear it also.' that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which States. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the to tackle the facts." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Yes, sir." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police important." any more." Holmes." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You galvanised. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "'I have already given you my word.' "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." and effective." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture him!" Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "That is it on the dressing-table." could go. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "What shall I do?" 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "No, thank goodness, she did not." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. where we are going." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "What, then?" the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not James Windibank. Voilà tout!" away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, light and attacked it." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no help us in this matter." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Oh, yes, easily." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "'I am sure that I do not know.' that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. IS agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house bachelor.' spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "'Most admirably.' "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our of Mr. Rucastle's." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Yes." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and the nursery. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "'There is a drive, then?' breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said lost his Christmas dinner." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down morning." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "It may not come to that," said Holmes. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "You have it, sir, just as it happened." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at article?" 'please.'" certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. pierced for earrings?" grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage side. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the that I can to serve you." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for all?" abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a the room while you explain this matter?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you again." conduct the inquiry." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "But you can know nothing of this?" fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it cheerful." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. closely." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or you?' the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, British peeress.'" "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still was not a bird to be seen there. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "I have seen the police." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four your co-operation." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Yes, he did." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added have not had my rubber." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" What do you deduce from it?" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the envelope. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Of Friday, June 19th." "My last client of the sort was a king." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "The doctor?" I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Of what day?" the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp Street. "Precisely." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business bonnet, and went out." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and you for a few hours?" in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. green of the new foliage. as this. Pray let me have the details." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "But he might be a bachelor." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "One of the highest in England." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Certainly." empty. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this charge against him will break down." "Who by?" prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his know what is wrong with it.' least a most suspicious remark." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and tightly behind him. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "'What then?' I asked. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our I have it here in my museum." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Which are?" machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare than was visible to me." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in better grown goose." wedding?" room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "And how?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a Miss Holder?" flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and and I shall be with you presently." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, case-book, which he consulted. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did down. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are woven round him. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "How do you know, then?" of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter I nodded to show that I had heard. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. a good hundred miles off by now." "'Yes, sir.' that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "'Never.' suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it death." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in highroad, where all traces were lost. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the them present such singular features as the strange train of 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "It looks newer than the other things?" however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "And I." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had lectures into a series of tales." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "What! a murderous attack?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He License. You must require such a user to return or "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious wedding?" are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Your French gold?" "'What do you call purely nominal?' turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "At what time?" whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or hand, madam?" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, and all of them with the keenest interest. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "'Oh, no.' had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked himself in a perplexing position. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to results." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son breakfast and whispered something to her husband.