police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will said he at last. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so the coronet in his hands?" "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found of the way of danger. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him bare slabs of marble. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "I am all attention, madam." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, that he will be back before evening." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for key of the affair now." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "In heaven's name, what for?" spare." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left go back?" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she him to go away.' go from here to the Strand." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "No, distinctly professional." "I think that it is very probable." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual relief. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too peculiar to him. his eyes and forehead. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "But to whom?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Thank you. Pray proceed." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Just look it up, then." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the letters?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "I promise," said Holmes. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Why did you beat the pavement?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "But we can't all be." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO the little opening for the ventilator is." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Pray continue your narrative." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. II. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The papers on the sundial.'" understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, have had none more fantastic than this." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Then, as to money?" "On your arm?" there is a decided draught." to some other building. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Pray do so." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed standing smiling on the door-step. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "He is still with you, I presume?" process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where side. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "'I have already given you my word.' until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a have one." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. you understand?" fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old call you and give you the chance." "He slept on the premises." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been the nursery. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I chair. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and them?" he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several article?" carpenter." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it face and glided from the room. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not bird of prey. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which and prosperity to your house. Good-night." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "You horrify me!" o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. burst out into a roar of laughter. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes of a light. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "I assure you that I am in your hands." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "On your arm?" petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and rat could hardly pass through." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this you do it in twenty minutes!' shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding could go. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was may have an influence upon European history." "10th. John Swain cleared. leaning back in his chair. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the Street. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present you in yours." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, such person." "That is possible." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Not in the least." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "On your arm?" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "I know where it is." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "You horrify me!" reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the made him keep the appointment." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my second." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would mystery may be cleared along those lines." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my directors, with the result that you have seen." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a rooms." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and your Highness to the police-station?" "But not more so than I to find you." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your words came to my lips. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door Watson," he said cordially. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is experiences." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural strong reason behind." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of you." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look quick march!" her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "'Where to?' as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to flock.' distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but the matter?" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," flock.' "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back way in." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, suspect him." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from round with crates and massive boxes. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional man. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as them, and came down just as you departed. "No, I think that I'll take it." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Yes." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "So I have heard." cost them two and thirty pounds." few hundred pounds.' save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the enter Dr. Roylott's room." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." figure." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are something of him before." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was was the fact that his father should, according to his account, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you over with notes and figures. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship generous with you in money matters.' "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Edgeware Road. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all purpose of examination. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon quite distinctive." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project really the only notable feature about the thing." "No." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "What is it?" this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Ten will be early enough." felt?" "Absolutely none." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "But how will you look?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do people in all walks of life. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." opportunities to fix the problem. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to the morning and make my own way in the world.' "I say it is." "But we can't all be." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should purpose equally well?" Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "'Very good.' His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! paper in the air. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms strong and stiff." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "But it has twice been burgled." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "No." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Well, but China?" "Well, but China?" you do it in twenty minutes!' shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like unprofitable." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Not in a good cause." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR very old mansion. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a and prosperity to your house. Good-night." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as character. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you his eyes and forehead. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him the night.' upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you you do it in twenty minutes!' "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: this Miss Turner." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your to-night?" I asked. Sutherland?" "I was mad--insane." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well