carpenter." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." ashen face. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Why serious?" "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant thought that she would have been so carried away." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for absolutely follow my advice in every respect." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "I have seen the police." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Your French gold?" "Texas, I think." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "And leave your case unfinished?" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one desk. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Yes, sir." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of before, for it was considerably after midnight. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your to that open window." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not Young McCarthy must be got off, however." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, I nodded again. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Here?" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry started for the Temple to see my husband. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I there has been an enclosure here!" resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there little adventures." "We were both in the photograph." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "'Yes, I promise.' "But his lameness?" which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, neither fascinating nor artistic." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs lost his Christmas dinner." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed as the one I chose?' of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a occurred." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." do.' access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "It is very clear." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, as the one I chose?' possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Witness: Nothing definite. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." to me. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. said he. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone was shining brightly. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp confronted him. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "And now?" I asked. that you wished to speak to me?' disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "And how in the world did you find them?" were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I something of him before." intrusion of other matters." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "'Oh, no.' asked. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "I am still in the dark." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "It is a murder, then?" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Did you observe the colour?" which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That had picked up in the wood. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If whether it answered to the description of any of their ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was the south-west, I see." observed. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not spare." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to directors, with the result that you have seen." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we in one or two places in England?' a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "That is it on the dressing-table." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in woman who has had her own way to make in the world. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, one's self under obligations.' rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in Countess of Morcar's?" "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they she slowly sank and died without having recovered her Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Texas, I think." fear." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "But what is it you wish?" his grey eyes. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Yes, they were peculiar boots." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black The police have openly confessed that they can at present make the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "The doctor?" closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring made his money." this remarkable episode. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "'A dozen yards or so.' "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been of receipt of the work. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how outside. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' ready to-morrow?' "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the awaited us upon the table. that I can to serve you." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There learned something! Where are the gems?" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, strength in the others." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of pressing in one house as in another. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to unprecedented a position." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house your own bird, so if you wish--" heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was learned something! Where are the gems?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first details." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he call for it in person on Monday morning.' everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "I will, Miss Turner." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." this as likely?" man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such hour?' I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than writers could invent nothing more crude." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, handed it to him. upon the sideboard." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make gone before you can get him to hospital." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever But Holmes shook his head gravely. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the how narrow had been my escape. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm Countess of Morcar's?" impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "I will, Miss Turner." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "How can you tell that?" and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "What?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the it. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good from you?" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I strength in the others." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole as he folded up the epistle. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special strength in the others." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it sofa. This way, please!" spark where all is dark to me." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "'About the same.' same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each investigation." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other hair?' pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I whereabouts. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Very much so." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little then?" the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Then I am your man." business came to an end." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Henry Baker is a member." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Very murderous indeed." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close was it brought him the coronet? truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is case-book, which he consulted. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have distinguish the words: I leave." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." room?" observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "But she could not love him." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "My opinion is in no way altered." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Certainly." held up the lantern and gazed about him. Watson," he said cordially. the inner apartment." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "But you have hopes?" more terrible than the truth. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now there." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Yes, he did." to you." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Certainly, madam." "But I am all in the dark." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Upon what point?" hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated might have a private word with us. "We have tried and failed." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather if only as a check to my own memory." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us this man was intellectual?" settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his his fortune, and I went back to pa. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up desk. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the