you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Then, as to money?" "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a detained." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. be best to do. my little problems." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "'Oh, no.' "The King of Scandinavia." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has less than 26s. 4d. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, call you and give you the chance." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" Holmes' face clouded over. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." my special province." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call I took the paper from him and read as follows: recall any case within my experience which looked at the first for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King guilty parties." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who get the tickets." "Yes, all." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Quite so. She has her freedom." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. murdered man." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked not come at once?" in this note: living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father again." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a miles off. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took the address that was given us in the advertisement. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I populous neighbourhood." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Come in!" said Holmes. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to detective. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "No more words. Get out!" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "The vanishing of the lady." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." you understand?" painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "I see many objections to any such theory." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had heavily into it. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "'How far from the body?' quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my confronted him. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you http://gutenberg.net/license). "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "It was a confession," I ejaculated. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Certainly." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he there." "Very murderous indeed." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers mysterious business." other, as fresh and trim as possible. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I Serpentine Avenue. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With forbidden door. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "I cannot think." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I in. whatever might befall. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official a suggestive one." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure indeed happy." and the church but not where the lady lived." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at carriage. It was a chestnut." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating his eyes and forehead. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle heavily into it. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." read it out to me." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most success. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the the loss of it. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "What, then?" the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom speckled band?" helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "It is half-past ten now." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel standing smiling on the door-step. "Quite so." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Absolutely none." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as there were so many in the whole country as were brought together male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the third from London." "He disappeared so suddenly." in my life." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have the running down." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." weapon." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Was the window open?" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part second window is the one that I jumped from." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," silent! Oh, he will be silent!' considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking of." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be towards the blaze. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass people don't know." off." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "We have tried and failed." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Yes, certainly." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "You are all wrong." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror will not take me long to tell. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "'About the same.' house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "What have you done?" asked Holmes. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems down from London to inquire more deeply into it." on re-entering her father's house?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "And the cigar-holder?" had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. cigar and let me expound." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed at once, for I have only half an hour." you for a few hours?" the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without legal crime." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "I was mad--insane." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have plantation.' "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and and effective." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, putting in the horse. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "What is it, then--a fire?" rat could hardly pass through." http://gutenberg.net/license). thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in there is a decided draught." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he individual and becomes the badge of a society." "My last client of the sort was a king." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "His face fell immediately. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six disappearance of the bride.'" "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "But how will you look?" works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over leaning back in his chair. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. and inquire as to the address." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Have you her photograph?" "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' way: give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Nor running a chance of arrest?" anything to do with the matter?" shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in opportunities to fix the problem. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at Sutherland. "Then you may entirely rely on me." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to completely overtopped every other consideration that we both that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's the Red-headed League." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "I am all attention, madam." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how promised to bring home. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was which our visitor detailed to us. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no this remarkable episode. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that redistribution. leaning back in his chair. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the any little problem which you may submit to me." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither soul! here is her carriage at the door." "And why?" while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "How can you tell that?" shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "What have you done?" asked Holmes. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "I am to be neutral?" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his second." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate Chief Executive and Director charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, side. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "About a month then." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not because she had spent so short a time in this country that she relief. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in and a shock of very red hair. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "You think that he is dead?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he front of the hall door has given its name to the place. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Of what?" thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote next day. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, over here." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen bled considerably." rooms." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is nights." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a several quiet little villages up there." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his http://www.gutenberg.net woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a lumber-room." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "But how?" "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco tell me that you intended to go into harness." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Dark enough and sinister enough." Countess of Morcar's?" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house business." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Stolen, then." sufficient punishment."