of receipt of the work. said I. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "She showed me, as I told you she would." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed than was visible to me." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "I beg pardon." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the congratulate you again." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "It may not come to that," said Holmes. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of second." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Dark enough and sinister enough." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be of receipt of the work. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked wedding?" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be brandy and water within his reach. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow God! What an exposure! What can I do?" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Oh, yes, easily." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "I am all attention, madam." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "And your father? Did you tell him?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "To an end?" like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps questioning and rather startled gaze. a little more before I quite committed myself. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have directors, with the result that you have seen." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "That is it on the dressing-table." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you down in his armchair and closing his eyes. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his anything to a woman, for she would have her way." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "A greater distance to travel." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we said he. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just distinguish the words: that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, me where it went to?" other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and I. "Then, how do you know?" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all Holmes. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "But what harm can there be in that?" after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I have accepted such a situation. "'Ample.' Leave Paddington by the 11:15." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a enter Dr. Roylott's room." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "No, I am descending." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Were they all fastened this morning?" ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any the room while you explain this matter?" Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the goes." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend points in connection with it which never have been, and probably mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "10th. John Swain cleared. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Not social, then?" think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Frequently." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Certainly." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have it." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot there is a decided draught." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "I never have." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he useful material for showing traces. The double line a little rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be more solid." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. and put his glass in his pocket. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not suggested at once that there must be a communication between the view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to foot. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "I should like to see him very much." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "What then?" and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. make me his representative both with the servants and with the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body forbidden door. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be yourselves in at night?" on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in make me his representative both with the servants and with the over here." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in residence of the great financier. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. prisoner's face. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid and inquire as to the address." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Of what day?" "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in head. So long, then!" "Ample." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "That is it on the dressing-table." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents a suggestive one." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to had a long day." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "'I have heard so.' house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. against a man in the prime of life?" reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle me what he had done with the three missing stones. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Well." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was I nodded to show that I had heard. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an future lives." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on the little opening for the ventilator is." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for and all of them with the keenest interest. enter Dr. Roylott's room." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry made him keep the appointment." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn whatever might befall. carried out of court." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from people in all walks of life. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "No more words. Get out!" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the bare slabs of marble. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "And how did he make his money?" "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since indeed happy." enter into my head. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it envelope. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a not fit the lock." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its appeal." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to woven round him. "What?" so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's became a certainty. unkempt, staring out at me. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "'You cannot say what it was?' "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Stoke Moran?" said he. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Ample." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "And now?" He raised his hand. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Edgeware Road. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of said Mr. Holder. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I and have this put in the evening papers." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to time." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip it." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Witness: It was. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a friends, not even his own brother. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "And is that all?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I out of this horrible affair." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine that you saw all that I did." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "'Certainly not.' A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I 11:15.' "But she will refuse." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. had picked up in the wood. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing open." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing Holmes. "The landlord of the Alpha." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the look dissatisfied." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I said he. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately there is a decided draught." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "No?" in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have soul! here is her carriage at the door." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to I nodded again. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the how narrow had been my escape. letters?" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Which are?" of Fenchurch Street." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "No bad?" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad third from London." empty. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by into the room. place of silver." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but Edgeware Road. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even