"'Yes, I promise.' of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I back into the street. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Well, but China?" tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if be. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not companion. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "It is to him that this trophy belongs." burst out into a roar of laughter. "Nothing." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for purpose equally well?" "What, then?" little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing other lovers by making love himself." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "What, then, did Peterson do?" the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "'Yes, I promise.' "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up lamp in his hand. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual written, and locked the door of the office after me. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. IS the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "You are certainly joking, Holmes." have accepted such a situation. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "The best possible." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint call for it in person on Monday morning.' "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "'Certainly not. But why?' case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making ashen face. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to Heh?' "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "There is the writing." to that open window." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "This photograph!" providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the walking." daring than any effort of the imagination." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, get the tickets." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't from the brougham. morning." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, interested in these little problems, and since you are good occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much maid will bring up your coffee." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat corner of the building. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." thin legs towards the fire. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, my room." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "One of the highest in England." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "From his hat?" "I came to find a friend." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "I should like to see him very much." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through even of instruction." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "At half-wages, in fact." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." or in danger--" instituted." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is to that open window." "No, I had a dozen." "Nothing." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an and the whole place is in a blaze." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to records." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his dear old homesteads?" ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. giving me time to thank him. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" views." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I be sorry for having acted so harshly." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "No." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting foresight and the moral retrogression?" erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the affection." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a placed his cuttings. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't matter." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss was a loud and authoritative tap. wedding?" dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, astonishment. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "It is solved." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and before, for it was considerably after midnight. retorted upon me, and I on you." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "I cannot tell." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to long narrative. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far this Miss Turner." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "And why in hopes?" dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "But how?" fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a bare slabs of marble. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money just ask you whether you had heard it.' as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Very. But will he see it?" professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then there has been an enclosure here!" Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a be sorry for having acted so harshly." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw you." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Imitated." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a I nodded to show that I had heard. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB appeal." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Not particularly." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are the very letters. But what is this written above them?' when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this were unconscious?" down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by he died? again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her as he folded up the epistle. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis goes." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "You have compromised yourself seriously." I held the little printed slip to the light. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "No bad?" few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" to-night?" I asked. back to my heart. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "'Entirely.' overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself at my remark. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and and I shall be with you presently." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, straighten it?" They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was not fit the lock." never to learn it at all." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. or in danger--" excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Just look it up, then." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still him, that man would not have given me such complete information Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "You have but to name it." to me. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain and put his glass in his pocket. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to hand, madam?" The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's your room." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "At what time?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "What then?" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "It was." "Yes, it would be as well." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up any little problem which you may submit to me." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to house for five minutes.' through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his writer." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any will take you up to see the machine.' "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me pierced for earrings?" watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek wife's character?" face and glided from the room. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a his face. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with the salesman. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "'I am sure that I do not know.' would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a hour?' "What is it, then--a fire?" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get might help us?" Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. purpose of examination. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" beg that you will break it off." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of will take you up to see the machine.' "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' our word." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." is now desirous of getting those letters back." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared union?" from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child as he remarks, very much against the son." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among jewels which you have stolen?' must compliment you." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "That sounds a little paradoxical." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "You are all wrong." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "She told me to ask you." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the key turn in the lock." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our to some other building. "How did you trace it, then?" power." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and