number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived drawing your inferences." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the province." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I me. You must get home instantly and act." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others strong reason behind." Leadenhall Street--and--" attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had fasten all the windows?" "Yes, that is the Crown." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting me what he had done with the three missing stones. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and quite distinctive." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can few hundred pounds.' My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day correct than the official force." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "What, then?" connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and into the room. room had already been engaged for us. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone giving me time to thank him. "But you have hopes?" "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "To an end?" I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "I should like to see him very much." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in might have a private word with us. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "No." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a bearing upon the case." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the call it cruel." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. to-night?" I asked. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all not interfere, come what may. You understand?" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I over with notes and figures. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be forbidden door. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Lestrade of Scotland Yard." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "What I expected to see." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." to some other building. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is she to prove their authenticity?" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," my special province." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the closely." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are entirely lost his self-respect." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Yes." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. public press." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger matters immensely." "And did you observe any change in her then?" chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "I shall most certainly do so." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the allusion to a rat. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "None." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to read it out to me." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might direction." spare." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. the best of training." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in peculiar to him. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "How long did she speak to this Alice?" Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his do.' arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "No." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "And how did he make his money?" state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At The events in question occurred in the early days of my how narrow had been my escape. ordinary clothes on?" the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed Clair, of Lee." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "It is possible." "Yes." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" money should be paid at once.' the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Was the window open?" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "How did that help you?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "I shall most certainly do so." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and are, and they are waiting for us." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did the child." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his Farm upon the left." him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Come in!" said he. "Then I shall certainly come." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his to a light-house. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered learned something! Where are the gems?" they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been with the outside air!" to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I me have 200 pounds?' reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But License. You must require such a user to return or she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we child?' very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some in the dead of the night?' in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "And now?" He raised his hand. "Your sister is dead, then?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Why did you beat the pavement?" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "What office?" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Then, how do you know?" "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "But you were on a friendly footing?" to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' of a light. chill to my heart. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good just called myself is not exactly my own." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel door?" "She showed me, as I told you she would." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "What is it, then--a fire?" "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Quite so." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "If so, much may have happened between." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Was he the only applicant?" gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. she might be summoned. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were room?" "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, noting anything else of interest. upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Entirely." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to little adventures." "Well?" and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Where, then, is my wife?" "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Oh, yes, easily." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "And why?" "There are none." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "'I have already given you my word.' America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and sentimental considerations in the background which would induce have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were envelope. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "'Where could I find him?' at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a done what I asked you, Jones?" I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "'Not at all. I only doubt--' 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If me have 200 pounds?' matter over." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it astonishment. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Why did you beat the pavement?" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was to tackle the facts." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just Holmes rather sternly. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the the roots. conclusions. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "I am sure." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that shall not find me ungrateful." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch completely overtopped every other consideration that we both very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not and capable of preserving a secret.' while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his which was all perfectly true. detained." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the