you." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "But his left-handedness." the coronet at all injured?" "I will get her to show me." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "'Most admirably.' "Not in a good cause." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking unprofitable." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate envelope. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "'Which dealer's?' "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend the warnings." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "His face fell immediately. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "She showed me, as I told you she would." that you saw all that I did." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an room. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the point in the dark hollow of his hand. your equipment. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you criminal. We have already had experience of such." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. think you a quite exceptional woman." papers on the sundial.'" We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "I shall most certainly do so." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "I will do it." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Dr. Becher's." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything Eyford." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of interested in these little problems, and since you are good my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have matters immensely." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been to me. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, status with the IRS. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' that The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or case-book, which he consulted. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "How about poison?" "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "How are you getting on?" why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "'Most admirably.' clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he the side-table." "You were travelling in the States?" into the room. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and murdered man." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There papers must be those that are destroyed.' across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my to some other building. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed despair." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "What steps will you take?" I asked. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all clanging. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. works. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his brandy and water within his reach. away to you." "You think that he is dead?" "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on cause to be." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was used to be." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down at my remark. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "'I shall certainly be there.' "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would empty. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "That was it, sir." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is six. Come in!" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she back to my heart. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was that you wished to speak to me?' and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's was it brought him the coronet? doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit existence." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the directors, with the result that you have seen." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in stammered. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost have not had my rubber." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "What do you make of that, Watson?" "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." yet." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend round and wave him away like that.' "My opinion is in no way altered." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "I have seen the police." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Because he was handy and would come cheap." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his means taking possession of that which another person has a prior to Leatherhead. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Yes, sir." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. row." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "BALLARAT." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "No, but the enclosure is." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, said he, "my real name is James Ryder." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that upon the shelf for the interim." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. held up the lantern and gazed about him. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Get out!" said he. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A me." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a fact, we may call it conclusive." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Her father is very rich?" that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An like that before?" "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' several quiet little villages up there." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never the Friday. Was it to be in church?" instituted." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue but preventing her from injuring another. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "I think that it is very probable." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "It surprised me." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your developed." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. would apply.' "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" and inquire as to the address." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it national property. I was determined that the law should have its "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "My dear Holmes!" was a lad." the room while you explain this matter?" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and your sleep?' mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Countess of Morcar's?" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as again on its way. Serpentine Avenue. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream the matter." existence." mystery!" dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my ceremony." conclusions. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too four million human beings all jostling each other within the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly something of him before." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "And help." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop papers on the sundial.'" his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "That was it, sir." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but became a certainty. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "I cannot imagine." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "But I am all in the dark." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to little trying to do so much typewriting?" who was a member of your goose club." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Have you her photograph?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. events than those which have happened in my own family." a good hundred miles off by now." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, drove away. weapon." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "And I." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will do you make of it all?" heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "By all means." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while McCarthy's innocence. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are 'I should be able to look after that for you.' in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "We must sit without light. He would see it through the married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was constraint." "You think so, too?" "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private death." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for straightened it out again. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very prove to be little relation between the different incidents of outside. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all coroner's jury." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was pictures, libraries, or plate. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my against a man in the prime of life?" day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really a very grave face. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "In which, sir?" over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" time." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Entirely." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "'About the same.' up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "I think it very unlikely." take the flies, but not before." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when The events in question occurred in the early days of my "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own locked. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the way in." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "VIOLET HUNTER." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have kind enough to tell me what I should do." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual shall not find me ungrateful." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what himself. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." I shall communicate with you." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round.