at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of of Fenchurch Street." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" I nodded to show that I had heard. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "How did you deduce the select?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "'Yes.' St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, For additional contact information: suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the writer." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "'Stolen!' he cried. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant directly by questioning you." to tackle the facts." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." will he say when he returns?" with frightened eyes at his accuser. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped there were one or two details which were new to me. But the sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual the very morning of the wedding." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding hopeless attempt at recovering them." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his than was visible to me." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. papers." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and the devil!" Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to colour had been driven from his face. Eyford at 11:15.' those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they again, where I was soon asleep. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with interest. They are important, you understand, without being "You have carte blanche." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "My Mary? Impossible!" large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. prepare for the new role I have to play." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "It was an hour's good drive." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a eat it." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, forecastle of an emigrant ship. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "She told me to ask you." Count Von Kramm." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! Where does the thing come from?' Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which before the coroner and the police-court." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project the running down." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I had formerly been in part my own. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited locked. appeal." "And how did he make his money?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and entirely devoid of interest." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who little trying to do so much typewriting?" lamp in his hand. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had who was a member of your goose club." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' key turn in the lock." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Whose house is it?" "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside any little problem which you may submit to me." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a death." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow for and were ordered to this address. woven round him. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to had picked up in the wood. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to once more to my work. "Certainly." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. daring than any effort of the imagination." charge against him will break down." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "'Ample.' "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety fishes. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "'Which dealer's?' "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "No, my brougham is waiting." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and place no limit on the sum I may draw." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of lost his Christmas dinner." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I least a most suspicious remark." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Oh, yes, easily." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "It is his hat." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and in a friendly supper." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "'Never,' said I. "None." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative singular points about the case. What did the police think of the on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, gives a meaning to it." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to hardly wander." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet to-night's adventure." like gravel from a pit.' the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge that I am arrested." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. secret." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a south, for the country is more deserted there." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a the Friday. Was it to be in church?" indeed which he could not unravel. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. held up the lantern and gazed about him. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his Arthur Conan Doyle and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Why did you pick him?" with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "How often?" an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front and have this put in the evening papers." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his fluttered off among the others. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful nonsense.' better in every way that they should make their position a little "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" you give your casting vote to?" as noiselessly as she had come. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "You were travelling in the States?" confronted him. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "A greater distance to travel." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the from you?" knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "I will, Miss Turner." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" she might be summoned. Have you good authority for what you say?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get the warnings." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I unclasping of his long thin hands. security.' dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of your billet.' be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to noting anything else of interest. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Yes." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' was shining brightly. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Then, as to money?" Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "I am sure." yet." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out that you can jump it.' it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become occupations.' silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most said I. "Then, as to money?" seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train foresight and the moral retrogression?" "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "No." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "And how?" posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "In what way?" asked Holmes. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his Countess of Morcar's?" with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Do you know him?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No the coronet in his hands?" DISSOLVED. like that before?" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of tell him that I know him to be innocent." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. be best to do. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, outside." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a directors, with the result that you have seen." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the photograph a cabinet?" "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which emerged. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are retorted upon me, and I on you." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "By all means." "Very much so." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small charged with?" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving desk. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I mystery." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "What office?" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is man. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey at once, for I have only half an hour." DISSOLVED. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts becomes even more simple." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. http://gutenberg.net/license). his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." waste of energy." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism he died? Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is along the entire front of the house, with three long windows and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Which are?" "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his fluttered off among the others. "Yes." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." strong and stiff." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He Serpentine Avenue. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be II. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly the stones. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine records." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Yes." possible that we could bring him back to her? through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a business." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will