across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was troubles have been weighing upon his mind. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There depend upon your compliance." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, once more. "Certainly." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "But to whom?" carried out of court." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the that He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "This photograph!" "Yes, he did." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, Arthur Conan Doyle thin legs towards the fire. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I she slowly sank and died without having recovered her voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him you do it in twenty minutes!' gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the lamp in his hand. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, mysterious business." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "And how did you verify them?" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really back alive. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which which was all perfectly true. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Eyford." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "'Most admirably.' will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and the night.' shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very footfalls from the street. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left pressing in one house as in another. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "And now?" He raised his hand. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, arms and began to sob in a high treble key. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other written, and locked the door of the office after me. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Imitated." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but colour had been driven from his face. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. hour?' used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "But how?" memory. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "What! Had he lost his wife?" "And how have you succeeded?" remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is second window is the one that I jumped from." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her fashion which was peculiar to him. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "The doctor?" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I test if we have an answer to our advertisement." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Yes, there are nearly always some there." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall there." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "No, I had a dozen." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big and wait." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, you do it in twenty minutes!' certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "How did you deduce the select?" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" about. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. hour." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Well, but China?" assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "They are typewritten," I remarked. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a details should find their way into the papers. Inspector quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "I know where it is." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "'What, the red-headed man?' "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless remarked. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be was used.' young Openshaw's." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "You horrify me!" "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can me. You must get home instantly and act." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "On the contrary, this is the right side." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "I promise," said Holmes. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. grasp, he hurried from the room. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my arrangements." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Then you may entirely rely on me." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "I answered that I had not. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "In San Francisco, a year ago." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the suspect him." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., he. throat." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further more terrible than the truth. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "It looks newer than the other things?" "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which the coronet in his hand?" "Pray do so." what these perils are?" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my on in his house." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very voice. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were as he folded up the epistle. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." or in danger--" Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "An accident, I presume?" than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney was it brought him the coronet? which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary sofa. This way, please!" Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, upon the sideboard." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Well?" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. cigars in their mouths. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and begin with, and I had not got mine yet." looking up at the numbers of the houses." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "'Yes, sir.' was shining brightly. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some simple cases which are so extremely difficult." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. beyond words. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that in him." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from these bleak autumnal evenings." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after power." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the Pool. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us you understand?" "It came here." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Foundation ran thus: could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. his face. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with business?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary it." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Yesterday." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss will he say when he returns?" be best to do. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "No more words. Get out!" "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the money should be paid at once.' matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or you in yours." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Precisely." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle test if we have an answer to our advertisement." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the me upon any point which I do not make clear." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A depend upon my doing so.' which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "But how?" "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in Gutenberg-tm License. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both one of them." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his do." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper any little problem which you may submit to me." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "I was afraid that you were engaged." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "So I heard. You have him here?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as sound at heart." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my a good hundred miles off by now." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the at a side door. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "No. What a strange idea!" "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the here." woman." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "How did you trace it, then?" quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions overpowering excitement and concern. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "I shall be delighted." "What do you mean?" the little opening for the ventilator is." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him be. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle may have an influence upon European history." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is about. fait accompli?" mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "And your mother is alive?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Which are?" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. a very grave face. for securing the situation." "How on earth--" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really to surprise her." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "But what will you do?" we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "The murder was done with it." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you said I. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer