make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be door?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his jewels which you have stolen?' what I may call a really hard day's work." chill to my heart. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his the one as in the other." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey ago." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate open." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely detective. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "And the murderer?" was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he conclusions. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "At what time?" Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "And did you observe any change in her then?" to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards sofa. This way, please!" my special province." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred than to us. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, the very morning of the wedding." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard house for five minutes.' "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you asked. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "'Yes.' him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his residence of the great financier. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "And the cigar-holder?" Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern feature." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very matter over." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could the very morning of the wedding." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given eavesdroppers?' to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and beyond words. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I there in twenty minutes." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "And why?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward overpowering excitement and concern. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. mystery!" questioning and rather startled gaze. passage and a tap at the door. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, are, and they are waiting for us." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. horse could go." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Yes, he did." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "How do you know, then?" Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps despair." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left think that any burglar could have done. forebodings. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. success. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the strength of mind to control. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly could go. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "And on what day did he meet his death?" man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO straighten it?" is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a is a common subject for conversation. papers on the sundial.'" pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Then you may be so with me." might have a private word with us. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I are, and they are waiting for us." "How many? I don't know." highly," said Holmes. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the point in the dark hollow of his hand. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two call for protection in the marriage market, for the present error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled father's young wife. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Very murderous indeed." "How did you trace it, then?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. least a most suspicious remark." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of other lovers by making love himself." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "You did not overhear what they said?" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Imitated." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the you want, then?' guilty parties." key turn in the lock." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, newspaper selections." "Your sister is dead, then?" "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were could not have written that. It is the German who is so "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note whole matter to your consideration." developed." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell served to weaken the effect. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." room?" someone who had been in Australia." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of over with notes and figures. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all of your young ladies.' "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." so far?" "I never have." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic think, you have already met." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start lamp. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers the Assizes." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" case before our client came into the room." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" to where he stood hid behind the curtain. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of there in twenty minutes." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "I would pay ten." "What is it, then--a fire?" late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with than to us. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or himself to hunt down. our word." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "By all means." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain not come at once?" which was all perfectly true. my room." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "But who is he?" felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" must be when I saw the door open.' "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Was there a secret marriage?" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate morning." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. third from London." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a from the brougham. What do you deduce from it?" real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and bled considerably." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided letters?" "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! the bottom.' "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no me where it went to?" known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted to me. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons of the one which your family is now devouring." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few good for you to do.' "Really! You surprise me." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of at home. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." cigar and let me expound." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and any more." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. call it cruel." acquaintance?" introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "And Irene Adler?" burst out into a roar of laughter. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of you?" from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "And how?" robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of would apply.' the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way window when the police appeared." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Here?" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle appeared upon the scene." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had events than those which have happened in my own family." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other row." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not shadow pass over his face as I spoke. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "That you are never beaten." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action infinite languor in his face. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been call for protection in the marriage market, for the present exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "One of his hands." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Yes, certainly." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "What I expected to see." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Witness: Nothing definite. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had light and attacked it." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his