and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His too. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to heavily into it. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The his forehead." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "My photograph." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few rat could hardly pass through." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" obstinate." locked. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Yes." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Where to?" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is which was all perfectly true. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in union?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "I was afraid that you were engaged." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune thin, with a long, sharp nose?" Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my I. Holmes' room. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life fashion which was peculiar to him. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "How did that help you?" the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have know what is wrong with it.' writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers narrative." he bowed and left the room without another word. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the photograph?" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "I am in hopes that she does." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Very much so." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "I don't say that. Perhaps." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth morning." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, coat-tails." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "He is still with you, I presume?" I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would I shall communicate with you." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black morning." newspaper selections." "You horrify me." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped young Openshaw's." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my nonsense.' "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner hour?' walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, is worth.' it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "It was an hour's good drive." Where does the thing come from?' my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "You are all wrong." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, hour." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant bare slabs of marble. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Yes." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your enter into my head. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might he bowed and left the room without another word. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "And now?" I asked. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had business." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see throat." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "'Certainly not. But why?' "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." London for the present?" Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, forbidden door. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Murdered?" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our made his money." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, the general public were present, then?" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "I was sure that I might rely on you." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us not as remarkable as your advertisement." married her." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would next day. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the that there was nothing in it, after all." an introduction to him?" place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the your bag." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and I nodded again. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; is a common subject for conversation. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Breckinridge is his name." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be then?" remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "What office?" along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, bachelor.' Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we this as likely?" my room." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Where, indeed?" beyond words. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "I will get her to show me." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "What of the rat, then?" "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It is a common subject for conversation. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing outbreak?" results." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "You are certainly joking, Holmes." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet beg that you will break it off." goes." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the outside. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of III. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the people in all walks of life. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they nothing with him." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there 'I should be able to look after that for you.' tell him that I know him to be innocent." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, at a side door. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. shoulder. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "It is very kind of you." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens see me here to avoid scandal." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport for securing the situation." and wait." any more." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my society." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Who was the criminal, then?" this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Why, what do you mean?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to answer." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather acquaintance?" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "What will you do, then?" and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of locked. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down your troubles." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "I shall most certainly do so." becomes even more simple." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, License. You must require such a user to return or all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Yes." breakfast." "Will you bet, then?" "Yes, all." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern what these perils are?" as this. Pray let me have the details." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "And what did you see?" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "You think so, too?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "And why?" held up the lantern and gazed about him. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" for its centre. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "A greater distance to travel." "My dear Holmes!" derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would call for it in person on Monday morning.' doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the your own bird, so if you wish--" occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. meant." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your lost his Christmas dinner." chair. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now disappearance of these gems?" if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is in the dead of the night?' of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "I don't say that. Perhaps." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Proceed, then." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Do you know him?" salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to call the police, let the police find what they can.' strength of mind to control. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I of the vacancies.' "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she might help us?" despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers be. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that did not hear it also.' human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank memory. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the taking in every detail of the apartment. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those answered with a sidelong glance. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "You think that he is dead?" "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "But I am all in the dark." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his drove away. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are Does that suggest anything?" dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the