and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not strong and stiff." long narrative. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural it." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "I am all attention, madam." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "What I expected to see." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "And how did you verify them?" The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "And what did you see?" house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third go back?" For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy carpenter." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian should be so warm over such a trifle." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when His name is Francis Prosper." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "It was." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love will not take me long to tell. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing himself to tell his story. highroad, where all traces were lost. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is notes," he said. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new Have you good authority for what you say?" "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue possible that we could bring him back to her? law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman hands. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "None. Neville wrote those words." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in daring than any effort of the imagination." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was McCarthy." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is father's place of business?" stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the giving me time to thank him. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "One?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "May I see it?" death." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than the loss of it. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from locked. seven miles from Eyford Station.' isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I friends, not even his own brother. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come him." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "What will you do, then?" cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly confronted him. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "And leave your case unfinished?" not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance will he say when he returns?" which was all perfectly true. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled off." "In what way?" asked Holmes. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were dates and names. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of floor. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he evidence," I remarked. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to the warnings." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "A thing like a cleaver," said he. some water from a caraffe. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for Sholtos." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his not personally threatened." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "It is true that I have been generally successful." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to that you saw all that I did." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when the armchair which I pushed forward for him. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was your co-operation." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut for the market.' to affect your life." companion. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Heh?' very peculiar words of the dying woman?" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has wedding?" autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "My private note-paper." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "But not more so than I to find you." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took she might be summoned. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort me have 200 pounds?' my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in himself to tell his story. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." it." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of of Mr. Rucastle's." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "You will not go there first?" "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the weighed down with some great anxiety. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature main points of my analysis." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "It certainly sounds feasible." the roots. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, were unconscious?" I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Not yet." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some anything to a woman, for she would have her way." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. was shining brightly. this Miss Turner." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the that you can jump it.' "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and results." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Frequently." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly with you alone." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "One of the highest in England." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place photograph?" and laid it on the table. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet in the hope of finding them." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "An enemy?" Leadenhall Street--and--" memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of conduct the inquiry." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. tear off another piece?' the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the deduce something from that?" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From locked. "What do you make of that, Watson?" this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much 1.E.9. morning." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having chair. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed and put his glass in his pocket. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a one or two very singular points about this room. For example, strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Certainly." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "'Ample.' to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised fear." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the stood on the top of it. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "He disappeared so suddenly." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "I fear not." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "You have carte blanche." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "No." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a security.' She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in in the port of London." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three should be so warm over such a trifle." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "It surprised me." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Not in a good cause." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly voice, changing her seat as requested. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden to you." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as fluttered off among the others. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he should be so warm over such a trifle." "Yes." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "You horrify me!" you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "And how did he make his money?" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was Holmes. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as cigars in their mouths. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "'I am sure if I had known--' confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "It surprised me." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "I cannot think." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well emerged. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "None." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in visitors." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which to change my dress. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Why did you pick him?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life notes," he said. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I States. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes as he folded up the epistle. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the outbreak?" was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "No. What a strange idea!" from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for to go into your room and bar your shutters?" recover the gem." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little been shamefully used." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A woman." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "And you can do nothing until then?" I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his page at http://pglaf.org would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited along the entire front of the house, with three long windows we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend at my remark. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian