old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation the room while you explain this matter?" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever cost them two and thirty pounds." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, room. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the throat." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is status with the IRS. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." over here." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Just look it up, then." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Ample." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge learned something! Where are the gems?" violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "In San Francisco, a year ago." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for here." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "No, thank goodness, she did not." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Seven!" I answered. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be floor. were unconscious?" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second plantation.' "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "But he might be a bachelor." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my pity, because in other respects you would really have done very promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "So I have heard." as the one I chose?' round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at said I. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and lids now and glanced across at his visitor. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Leadenhall Street--and--" "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative and have this put in the evening papers." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," of." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB the inquest, and which are worth considering." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. you, my dear young lady?' "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "You think that he is dead?" happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard and shall probably return to London by the evening train." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal For additional contact information: cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a lamp. "'Ten to two.' "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Why serious?" particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Then you may be so with me." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael trying to your nerves." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I chambers. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "9th. McCauley cleared. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think room had already been engaged for us. one of them." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate had died away into the silence from which it rose. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "And how have you succeeded?" my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "What?" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a all that?" running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has vague figure huddled up in the darkness. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Will you bet, then?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "You have the photograph?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I definite end. "'I shall certainly be there.' beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It to-night?' "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were a few minutes he said that it would be all right. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Witness: It was. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" exactly what you advise." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is nonsense.' shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it God! What an exposure! What can I do?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense think that he is innocent?" the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. thought that she would have been so carried away." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of it." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "One of the highest in England." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary had a long day." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Tired-looking or fresh?" Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Did he not advertise?" "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "I am sure." side. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the she to prove their authenticity?" asked. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. behind me. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "What! Had he lost his wife?" blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It I have it here in my museum." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and cheerful." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind giving me time to thank him. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Yes, I have one waiting." "Yes, sir." "Nothing." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained jewels which you have stolen?' once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Yes." papers." villagers almost as much as their master. danger is over." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Then, as to money?" "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt details should find their way into the papers. Inspector down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than ways including including checks, online payments and credit card time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at populous neighbourhood." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us bore every mark of being an average commonplace British immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no that he will be back before evening." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Then you may entirely rely on me." away to you." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the heavily into it. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. instincts rose up against that laugh. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned least a most suspicious remark." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "No." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "I don't believe it." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in upon a handsome competence. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Nothing." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds our word." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." mysterious business." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Texas, I think." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "His face fell immediately. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "You have compromised yourself seriously." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it fat-encircled eyes. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "But you have hopes?" she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which narrative." quick march!" not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco hands. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the that you saw all that I did." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his friends, not even his own brother. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" opportunities to fix the problem. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Yes. He waved his hands." "In answer to an advertisement." of Mr. Rucastle's." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after appointment with me for six o'clock?" better grown goose." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the your room." straightened it out again. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, to-night?" I asked. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt ago." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name ready to-morrow?' he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "But how will you look?" "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the ordinary clothes on?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet tension within him. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "I promise," said Holmes. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same mystery may be cleared along those lines." hard-headed British jury." whatever might befall. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "I say it is." "A confidential servant?" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "One of the highest in England." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." himself in a perplexing position. I am not easy in my mind about them." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "'How far from the body?' surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "You have it, sir, just as it happened." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the south, for the country is more deserted there." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes occupations.' "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." the coronet at all injured?" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a Pope's Court, Fleet Street." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates newspaper selections." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Murdered?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is