cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge Eyford." strength in the others." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same keep the flames under. Pope's Court. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in yet." as noiselessly as she had come. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out not come at once?" of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by cigars in their mouths. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination works. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "She showed me, as I told you she would." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "'As governess?' card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "And on what day did he meet his death?" thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Will you bet, then?" possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "That is easily got." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "What then?" stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the easy-going way." once more for Briony Lodge. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love side. happened." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "How often?" waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "You horrify me." fact, we may call it conclusive." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I read over the extraordinary announcement. "I assure you that I am in your hands." residence of the great financier. weighed down with some great anxiety. "What then?" you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing mysterious end." had formerly been in part my own. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and success. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Holmes, the busybody!" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the guilty parties." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick asked with his eyes open. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. where we are going." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." obstinate." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs God! What an exposure! What can I do?" these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind that threaten you." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "None." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Very. But will he see it?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a photograph a cabinet?" play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the our word." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "It may not come to that," said Holmes. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual politicians who had been sent down from the North. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "And Miss Sutherland?" a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation fire. You quite follow me?" would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, hour." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without wedding?" "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H them?" her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us delirious. "And is that all?" his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to was once confined in the cab my mission was practically will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "What, then, did Peterson do?" sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, October 9, 1890. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the my former friend and companion. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the brandy and water within his reach. "Dark enough and sinister enough." soul! here is her carriage at the door." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Yes. He waved his hands." and that he would see to anything that turned up. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Only as much as we can deduce." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Then I am your man." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "No legal papers or certificates?" daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He kindly on the shoulder. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Entirely." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has Holmes rather sternly. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has did not hear it also.' into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is giving me time to thank him. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns to affect your life." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Frequently." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "The murder was done with it." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "That is easily got." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "The gentleman I describe." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates minor matters until to-morrow." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of relation between them, and what the object of his repeated prisoner's face. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was off." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Yes." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this From what you have told me I think that it is possible that but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments exactly what you advise." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with coat-tails." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "No, I had a dozen." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and his knees, staring into the fire. "No. What a strange idea!" eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which should be so warm over such a trifle." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being daring than any effort of the imagination." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and with you alone." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident was feeling which was the fattest.' be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Never." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the conduct the inquiry." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "No bad?" do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "It certainly sounds feasible." done what I asked you, Jones?" cigars in the box." go--none." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and to surprise her." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "You were travelling in the States?" and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we examination of the premises, but without finding anything which comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable you understand?" "If I can be of use." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." to tackle the facts." "You don't mind breaking the law?" http://gutenberg.net/license). conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" You want to know what became of those geese?" case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing locked." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had tied." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet secret." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will he. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. certainly not very gracious." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that to a more successful conclusion." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told upon the white wrist. "'Yes, it was gone.' "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw observed. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay again, where I was soon asleep. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, said I. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." Holmes rather sternly. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several families. Now for the facts. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have you want, then?' where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, chambers. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the on in his house." you give your casting vote to?" like gravel from a pit.' keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' any little problem which you may submit to me." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, of your young ladies.' "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child to-morrow." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "It is to him that this trophy belongs." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and might help us?" "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I despaired of." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's and glanced through. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on with her." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Yes, all." "How are you getting on?" "9th. McCauley cleared. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his the loss of it. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned placed his cuttings. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into think that he is innocent?" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Because he was handy and would come cheap." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Holmes' thin, eager face. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my there." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his not personally threatened." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "I know where it is." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the have been better. It is all right." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his so.' may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Yes." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person questioning and rather startled gaze. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between pound a week." intrusion of other matters." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "No, my brougham is waiting." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with other means.' "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite The note was undated, and without either signature or address. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. just ask you whether you had heard it.' wife's character?" trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Not yet." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to