got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your closely." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes unprecedented a position." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away a monotonous occupation." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like of the way of danger. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the she might be summoned. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Whose house is it?" memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Indeed! Whose, then?" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "At what time?" them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety to-morrow." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a some terrible trap for her." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most with you alone." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of the south-west, I see." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would pictures, libraries, or plate. mystery may be cleared along those lines." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and important." "I don't believe it." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton trying to your nerves." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side against a man in the prime of life?" gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the seem to you to be relevant or not." straighten it?" "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "9th. McCauley cleared. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Proceed, then." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" where we are going." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "But you would not advise me to refuse?" when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Where, then?" few hundred pounds.' every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an From what you have told me I think that it is possible that town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up if only as a check to my own memory." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "And how did he make his money?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead the tragedy. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "I shall most certainly do so." such attractions and accomplishments?' room had already been engaged for us. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of himself in a perplexing position. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "I have solved it." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever breakfast and whispered something to her husband. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary the one as in the other." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "No, but the enclosure is." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with visitors." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Eh? What was that?" the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired felt the room to be a little close.' some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the DAMAGE. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "And I." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any he. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "No sign of it?" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable to miss it." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson enough to aid us in our search." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "And I say east," said my patient. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of train from Paddington which would bring you there at about came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of weighed down with some great anxiety. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke burst out into a roar of laughter. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards the inquest, and which are worth considering." that you wished to speak to me?' "Pray be precise as to details," said he. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "The knees of his trousers." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Yes, sir." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "An enemy?" have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in and your relations to her." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm you, my dear young lady?' "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich here." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having unprecedented a position." bedroom door." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and away to you." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that recover the gem." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "None." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported lamp. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' foresight and the moral retrogression?" them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "'Is 4 pounds a week.' bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Will you bet, then?" his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about prove to be little relation between the different incidents of as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I true." "A client, then?" protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "And now?" He raised his hand. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you down from London to inquire more deeply into it." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how public press." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or third from London." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is key of the affair now." approach us with offers to donate. forecastle of an emigrant ship. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "I cannot imagine." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which that there was nothing in it, after all." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" them, and came down just as you departed. to miss it." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a fat-encircled eyes. residence of the great financier. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "By all means." his eyes and forehead. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "In the cells." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was sound at heart." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the good-night and bustled off upon her way. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in flock.' upon an income of about 60 pounds." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up feature." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "I don't say that. Perhaps." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in present." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds within hail.' most interesting one." crowd. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Very. But will he see it?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old the roots. away into the river." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "How are you getting on?" "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil the best of training." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am it." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "But how did you gain them?" "And why?" Doctor, of the paper and the date." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Here?" "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently I have it here in my museum." "That is easily got." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "What can it mean?" I gasped. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "You think so, too?" "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "It must be recovered." conduct the inquiry." do.' knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some are, and they are waiting for us." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "But how could you guess what the motive was?" A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with over here." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "My stepfather's business papers." writing, and yet I know it well." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always my room." prison!" he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now searched, without anything being found which could incriminate starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and come either from the window or the door. My attention was quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "I think it very unlikely." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to own family. "We must have a cab." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I acquaintance?" thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it telegram would bring me down to your help." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided You want to know what became of those geese?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were one of them." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's had this final quarrel? searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "On Monday." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's