knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. skylight. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Of what?" "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out said I. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to or other trace. But how on earth--" classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "And how did you find out?" room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting companion imperturbably. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a into the bag, and made for the door. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. danger is over." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I would pay ten." Foundation or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck appointment with me for six o'clock?" expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Very murderous indeed." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Has he come with you to-night?" garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "'I am sure that I do not know.' that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, key of the affair now." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, to me. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "So I have heard." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in brain must have something in it." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord cup of tea. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment think that any burglar could have done. seem to you to be relevant or not." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "It is no ordinary one." "Yes, all." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at Have you good authority for what you say?" fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no and put his glass in his pocket. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "I think that it is very probable." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that shag which I had seen upon the previous night. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Yes, at the mines." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl went to the Alpha were town bred." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion seem to you to be relevant or not." but preventing her from injuring another. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "You have the photograph?" suggested at once that there must be a communication between the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Proceed, then." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter golden eyeglasses. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very do.' "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six young Openshaw's." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." opportunities to fix the problem. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself papers on the sundial.'" hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a obstinate." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His children over to America with him, so that I found myself without well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be said he. voice, changing her seat as requested. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "I have a cab outside." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "He said that you could solve anything." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we you?" "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. I think that I could be of assistance to you." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her said he at last. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low Surrey." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "No." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw was the fact that his father should, according to his account, idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite passage and a tap at the door. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together distinguish the words: A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, there were one or two details which were new to me. But the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest think that any burglar could have done. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "But what will you do?" Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, occupations.' As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "What will you say?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "That is also quite modern," said the lady. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "'I have already given you my word.' have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet it were putty." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into horse could go." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked business matters.' he died? him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips seem to you to be relevant or not." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Leave Paddington by the 11:15." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to go back?" became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a details." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds had this final quarrel? previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "You are all wrong." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows you?' "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up me." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." you?" from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Has he come with you to-night?" we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special hour?' while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "How did he come?" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in is four-and-twenty." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Did you become engaged then?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Stolen." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other train from Paddington which would bring you there at about could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly is entirely a question of barometric pressure." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her an introduction to him?" so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "How about poison?" deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they handed it to him. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "I do." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "You did not overhear what they said?" "But he might be a bachelor." "What will you say?" "In which, sir?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that in a friendly supper." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the it. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." fashion which was peculiar to him. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "What can you not understand?" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "'Ten to two.' winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Yes, that is the Crown." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was present." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the bachelor.' "'As governess?' made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "I see many objections to any such theory." people don't know." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Oh, fresh and glossy." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" of Fenchurch Street." laugh and put his lips to my ear. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. garden below. to have that photograph." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he overpowering excitement and concern. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, you understand?" imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down you do it in twenty minutes!' about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and 1.F. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" a little more before I quite committed myself. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are the coroner come to?" "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in strange features which were associated with the two crimes which explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good ill-usage at the hands of fortune. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to McCarthy's innocence. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about was a loud and authoritative tap. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. morning." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "And on what day did he meet his death?" cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." details." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," that you can jump it.' gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped Munro.' his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very man. I know him from the photograph." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "And from a noble client?" "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Lee, in the county of Kent." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long done what I asked you, Jones?" adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those the Assizes." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a Pope's Court. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary call it cruel." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Come in!" said Holmes. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and emerged. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the this Miss Turner." ventilator." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand returning from some small jollification and was making his way his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "No good news?" "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "But how could you guess what the motive was?" all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not crackling voice. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my here and I will read it to you: Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of all that?" therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all down from London to inquire more deeply into it." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us been with you?" "Very. But will he see it?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the her also." upon an income of about 60 pounds." shoulder; "he's all right." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and III. "Absolutely?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies."