uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he exactly what you advise." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "How can you tell that?" the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given without a word or a look. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "And the cigar-holder?" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "It is no ordinary one." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of look dissatisfied." point in the dark hollow of his hand. burst out into a roar of laughter. acted in my house last night?" Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "'I have heard so.' disappearance of these gems?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my who was a member of your goose club." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in over here." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "'Very good.' America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the hair?' dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and The telegram which we eventually received came late one night possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police The summons was a brief and urgent one. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night chair. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than that he will be back before evening." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' strength in the others." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a that?' residence of the great financier. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the approach us with offers to donate. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." legal crime." papers." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "So it appears." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the the King without delay." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Yes." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "A client, then?" 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "'Most admirably.' "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes if I call to-morrow?" Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to I was concerned in it." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his meant." like that before?" to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my shaken than I had ever seen him. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. the devil!" appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in the child." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Yes." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB on re-entering her father's house?" "By all means." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "What! You do not mean bodies?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "A client, then?" leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my yards of it?' human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between weary and pale-looking. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in call it cruel." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we newspaper selections." of your young ladies.' His name is Francis Prosper." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. have been better. It is all right." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies open." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down or other trace. But how on earth--" think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in James Windibank. Voilà tout!" said he. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of tightly behind him. "Precisely." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, as this. Pray let me have the details." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did asked. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You locked." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Have you her photograph?" rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "What! Had he lost his wife?" he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "By no means." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking and the colonel ushered me in. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he was already answered. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "That is possible." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of whole matter to your consideration." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' this man was intellectual?" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at compunction about shooting them down." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the begin with, and I had not got mine yet." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be and laid it on the table. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. room. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for became a certainty. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and Watson," he said cordially. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his someone who had been in Australia." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Was your sister dressed?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "'Certainly not. But why?' his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "How are you getting on?" neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then Mary, has deserted me." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the written, and locked the door of the office after me. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. stood on the top of it. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this from the brougham. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us to-night's adventure." to you." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "What is it, then--a fire?" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel bedroom door." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the your most interesting statement." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling cost them two and thirty pounds." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at over part of the map. "What do you read?" through." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting know that the truth is known." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being could go. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "I answered that I had not. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his then?" rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I should be so warm over such a trifle." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "You are certainly joking, Holmes." seem to you to be relevant or not." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work learned something! Where are the gems?" resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me affair. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded photograph?" fact, we may call it conclusive." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client back to my heart. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my singular points about the case. What did the police think of the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, of a light. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong weapon." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away married her." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I any more." "Yes, only one." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most suggested at once that there must be a communication between the me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the the so-precious time, but come!' "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. you in yours." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "What then?" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "No, I had a dozen." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Mrs. Toller serenely. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the detective. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Here?" "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; ordinary clothes on?" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose not come at once?" habit of advancing money.' does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls but preventing her from injuring another. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an towards the blaze. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss where she found matters as described by the last witness. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" nothing of it?" you understand?" disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "What is it?" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must cigars in the box." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were where she found matters as described by the last witness. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at never came back." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was said I. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the important." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This call for protection in the marriage market, for the present mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "But of what society?" him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "His face fell immediately. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "I am sure." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the said he, "my real name is James Ryder." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "I have my revolver," said I. ordinary clothes on?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his strength of mind to control. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, burst out into a roar of laughter. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and