against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between depend upon my doing so.' "But what will you do?" "Holmes, the busybody!" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William and laid it on the table. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She matter." his grey eyes. which was all perfectly true. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I front of the hall door has given its name to the place. posted to-day." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the the child." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more have got?" But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were Again Holmes raved in the air. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "You horrify me!" unkempt, staring out at me. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the Holmes' face clouded over. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and vault. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his he died? "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "I have my revolver," said I. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "And what did you see?" interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of of Fenchurch Street." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." upon an income of about 60 pounds." then?" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been Miss Holder?" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" carried out of court." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that in. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And without success. At last the little money which I had saved began smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "If so, much may have happened between." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "In which, sir?" Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "What shall I do?" the inquest, and which are worth considering." without a word or a look. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "You were travelling in the States?" introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness and I shall be with you presently." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see read it out to me." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "It is his hat." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "And the cigar-holder?" these bleak autumnal evenings." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the away in different directions, and I went off to make my own away to you." "Is he quiet?" "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new which are rolled in Rotterdam." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Your sister is dead, then?" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted me upon any point which I do not make clear." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers call for protection in the marriage market, for the present the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of ago." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man of the way of danger. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. strength." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "My dear Holmes!" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," call for protection in the marriage market, for the present entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar client, rising. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate empty. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Because he was handy and would come cheap." if only as a check to my own memory." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though gone. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "What can you not understand?" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "'Is purely nominal.' houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of waste of energy." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the a very grave face. "What will you say?" uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. occupations.' Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel fled together." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course bearing upon the case." "I cannot imagine." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a we went to search for him, face downward in a little You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and empty. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "What is it, then--a fire?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Whose house is it?" see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down you for a few hours?" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "And is that all?" over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country there was no need for father to know." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he was a loud and authoritative tap. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "It certainly sounds feasible." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and the coronet in his hands?" anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "I have my revolver," said I. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to over part of the map. "What do you read?" "One?" which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. in this way: the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "How did that help you?" among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, said he. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly villagers almost as much as their master. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "No, but the enclosure is." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "My own seal." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, hurried by. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only all?" mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather upon the white wrist. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "A client, then?" respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in pictures, libraries, or plate. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I hereditary King of Bohemia." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and at my remark. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless the child." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his the nursery. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no in the dead of the night?' keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided with you alone." "I cannot tell." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "I am about to be married." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And fuss that is made over them." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler in his power. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "And leave your case unfinished?" "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. dates and names. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I question," said Holmes, smiling. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every as the one I chose?' considering the formidable letters which were received by himself knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as Holmes' face clouded over. daring than any effort of the imagination." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, round with crates and massive boxes. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Ah, but I was recommended to you." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew My friend smiled. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. you?' remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project his face. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had not fit the lock." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a This is what he says: fasten all the windows?" cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I constraint." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the away to you." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my neither fascinating nor artistic." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to the window, rose as we entered. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of client, rising. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the ventilator." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "'Yes, it was gone.' IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe just called myself is not exactly my own." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of key of the affair now." a good hundred miles off by now." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it light and attacked it." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the My friend smiled. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any head. So long, then!" towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "What will you do, then?" it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it must be when I saw the door open.' Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second is a common subject for conversation. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." it." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "'I have already given you my word.' your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out of the one which your family is now devouring." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several you in your example." hard-headed British jury." salesman. young Openshaw's." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "I was sure that I might rely on you." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "'I have already given you my word.' "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it matters immensely." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Yes." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet the best of training." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "How are you getting on?" points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the have I gained?" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot forbidden door. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls Clair, of Lee." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." may never be exposed to such a temptation." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. touch that coronet?' from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able assist you in forming an opinion." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "From his hat?" "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." with you?"