gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian suddenly upon us." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "'Yes.' down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are despair." "Perhaps I have." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me seem to you to be relevant or not." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself on re-entering her father's house?" rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so more terrible than the truth. Dr. Gregory B. Newby cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is once more to my work. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' other, as fresh and trim as possible. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are before the coroner and the police-court." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, money should be paid at once.' daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time became a certainty. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little his forehead." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand on in his house." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Imitated." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more believe that I should never have any practice at all. have had none more fantastic than this." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "You are all wrong." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become three of the beryls in it, was missing. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as I shall communicate with you." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. dead, shall be safe with us." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "And sit in the dark?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Very murderous indeed." I was concerned in it." works. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. brandy and water within his reach. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" for securing the situation." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely eat it." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw before, for it was considerably after midnight. when you have done it." Sutherland?" Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is my friend's incisive reasoning. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst intimate personal affairs in this public manner." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird spare." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "How many? I don't know." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers than was visible to me." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely and capable of preserving a secret.' "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the own family. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "My own seal." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Yes." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream people in all walks of life. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "And why?" as noiselessly as she had come. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "But what will you do?" test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a undoubtedly my uncle's." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Pray let us have it, for all that." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third becomes even more simple." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small with some details as to your case." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "But you were on a friendly footing?" some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only straighten it?" "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "And now?" I asked. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "But how?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my Gutenberg-tm License. take the flies, but not before." this remarkable episode. chance." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "How did you deduce the select?" "It's nothing of the kind." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the must compliment you." "And now?" I asked. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." lumber-room." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable an introduction to him?" "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her ago." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of goes." "And how have you succeeded?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" The King stared at him in amazement. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, you, my dear young lady?' it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of interests were the same as his." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, in darkness. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. thought that she would have been so carried away." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been manager. "Not social, then?" conclusions. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which call for protection in the marriage market, for the present outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Indeed! Whose, then?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this unclasping of his long thin hands. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "I will get her to show me." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered him, that man would not have given me such complete information minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have prepare for the new role I have to play." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the quite distinctive." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are village inn over there?" 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I observed. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for charge against him will break down." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be than to us. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "'It is locked up,' I answered. as this. Pray let me have the details." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men the stable lane now." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "9th. McCauley cleared. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the said he, "my real name is James Ryder." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the this as likely?" the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from been with you?" "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. directly by questioning you." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. nights." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Was there a secret marriage?" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "A call for help, you thought?" "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from speckled band?" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to make me his representative both with the servants and with the he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their train.' you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." with you alone." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and The police have openly confessed that they can at present make contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a me, and I could not think that his explanation of the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "It looks newer than the other things?" carried out of court." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Holmes, the busybody!" Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that the armchair which I pushed forward for him. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with was lame." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "From his hat?" his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "No more words. Get out!" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed in his hands." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "I have hopes." prepare for the new role I have to play." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had paper in the air. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the the stones. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are the stones. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "What then?" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "I shall most certainly do so." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior said I. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" danger is over." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local I held the little printed slip to the light. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper examination of the premises, but without finding anything which them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, results." he died? and shall probably return to London by the evening train." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. said I. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in Street. "I am to be neutral?" But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy goes." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "But how will you look?" a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his might help us?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; woman who has had her own way to make in the world. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Not in the least." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his bell. Holmes whistled. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty forecastle of an emigrant ship. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my families. Now for the facts. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very I am not easy in my mind about them." call it cruel." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "That's no good." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "That is easily got." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to purpose equally well?" redistribution. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked was keenly on my guard against him. there." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by http://www.gutenberg.net "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "That is it on the dressing-table." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found over here." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Yes, he did." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "What can you not understand?" "No." mysterious end." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Where to?" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you