on in his house." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were bedroom door." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are interested in these little problems, and since you are good "It's nothing of the kind." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "On the contrary, this is the right side." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "What then?" have one." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful down. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "In heaven's name, what for?" "'Tell me all about it,' said I. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "He said that you could solve anything." "You saw the ventilator, too?" "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but that I am arrested." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "No sign of it?" business came to an end." gentleman's clothes. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "'You cannot say what it was?' interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, what is your own theory as to what took place?" and glanced through. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "If so, much may have happened between." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "We must sit without light. He would see it through the words came to my lips. "You have carte blanche." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards your only hope of safety." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes strength of mind to control. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with the nursery. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil invisible to me," I remarked. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you Clair, of Lee." be sorry for having acted so harshly." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the McCarthy's innocence. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage are, and they are waiting for us." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," business in the City. She little knew what. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent placed his cuttings. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover this truth that in these little records of our cases which you the Assizes." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "What then?" with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "How can you tell that?" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "I should like to see him very much." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." you." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Nearly eleven." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" during that time.' surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." the address that was given us in the advertisement. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, II. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" more terrible than the truth. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened Pope's Court. was already answered. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where I was concerned in it." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit experiences." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is indiscretion." "That sounds a little paradoxical." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "'Yes, I promise.' was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. he died? partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Always." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," seven miles from Eyford Station.' fattened it expressly for you.' across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "It surprised me." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had fear." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, purpose of examination. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss was shining brightly. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "And your mother is alive?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "One?" "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "How do you know, then?" of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." window when the police appeared." "But she could not love him." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Yes, at the mines." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again posted to-day." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with crime." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this green of the new foliage. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Quite so. She has her freedom." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "There are none." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "But you have hopes?" "Which surely he restored to their owner?" Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about situation." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his eat it." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Watson," he said cordially. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before people don't know." without a word or a look. villagers almost as much as their master. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the it were putty." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "'Certainly not.' "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "But his lameness?" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "How do you know, then?" of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. certainly not very gracious." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an to tell." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "And why in hopes?" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "It looks newer than the other things?" "'Tell me all about it,' said I. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up read over the extraordinary announcement. very old mansion. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" sofa. This way, please!" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's matter." "But who is he?" a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "So I am. Very much so." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was impression behind it as though a window had gently closed seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a http://www.gutenberg.net "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, absolutely follow my advice in every respect." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was License. You must require such a user to return or sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt tell me that you intended to go into harness." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said never to learn it at all." "I promise," said Holmes. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Here?" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his him!" place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Ah!" think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, in the port of London." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated of it with the greatest attention. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Game for a morning drive?" "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you not come at once?" yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while friend's singular character. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth thirty. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Where, then?" Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported had died away into the silence from which it rose. depend upon my doing so.' from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred was once confined in the cab my mission was practically woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the congenial hunt. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical States. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Witness: It was. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." heavily into it. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has me, and I could not think that his explanation of the King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' room had already been engaged for us. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any