"I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "'And the work?' explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "That is possible." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Tired-looking or fresh?" exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and at once, for I have only half an hour." himself to hunt down. touch that coronet?' Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Cross for the Continent." "None." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences once more. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "It surprised me." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the the inquest, and which are worth considering." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "You forget that I know nothing about it." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Certainly." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, nothing with him." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with up this clue while it is still hot." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when memory. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Her father is very rich?" bedroom door." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two you." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." indeed happy." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is business in the City. She little knew what. "You were travelling in the States?" sofa. This way, please!" "To an English lawyer named Norton." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales the warnings." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "And what did you learn from him?" right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "I would pay ten." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. not come at once?" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four dear old homesteads?" it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee woven round him. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Awake, Watson?" he asked. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Then the page we have seen--" locked." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "'In my own bureau.' rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is friends, not even his own brother. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that in. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "'Oh, no.' five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. been with you?" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "And what did you see?" closely." me." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Upon what point?" as he folded up the epistle. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, strength." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Mrs. Toller serenely. "The vanishing of the lady." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not your room." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her appeal." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, a good hundred miles off by now." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have mysterious end." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall eat it." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to had formerly been in part my own. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered husband's writing, madam." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it secret." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, into the room. was already answered. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, distance from the station, and there we found the young lady to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." and it need not interfere very much with one's other strange features which were associated with the two crimes which of Mr. Rucastle's." the station." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated main points of my analysis." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "What do you mean?" One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent details should find their way into the papers. Inspector much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons outsides of the windows. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting been with you?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had a few minutes he said that it would be all right. behind me. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Very murderous indeed." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, that you can jump it.' neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two giving me time to thank him. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert discontent upon his features. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Yes, it was twisted." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Not I." made him keep the appointment." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of the child." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told strode off upon his way. "And why?" probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and heavily into it. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Street. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is over his head with a sweet womanly caress. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "My dear Holmes!" dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the impression behind it as though a window had gently closed with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was burst out into a roar of laughter. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" gbnewby@pglaf.org Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which their singular warning or token before them when starting upon strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "And how did he make his money?" evidence," I remarked. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. became a certainty. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! you." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Stoke Moran?" said he. returned to France?" The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, before the coroner and the police-court." "Yes." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, anything to a woman, for she would have her way." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "No, I think that I'll take it." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect it right.' of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were but preventing her from injuring another. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's murdered man." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back written, and locked the door of the office after me. them, and came down just as you departed. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five geese which you supplied to the Alpha." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call again." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at was not a bird to be seen there. in him." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray States. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and sentimental considerations in the background which would induce pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke went to the Alpha were town bred." our word." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Yes." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in himself. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance residence of the great financier. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent that I may have something better before very many minutes are that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the what do you think they found in the pockets?" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Murdered?" but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered a room. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," tail." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Yes, certainly." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "'I shall certainly be there.' feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Was the window open?" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, way in everything. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached Where does the thing come from?' house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Dr. Becher's." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common have established a very serious case against the son of the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Why, what do you mean?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has here." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Yes, it would be as well." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's not as remarkable as your advertisement." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "But you have hopes?" "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was the ceiling. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those remarked. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "What I expected to see." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "A client, then?" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a had formerly been in part my own. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Pray continue your narrative." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the what is your own theory as to what took place?" Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," wedding?" "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive occupations.' on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. galvanised. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the