it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" and no precautions can guard against." here and I will read it to you: are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire I have it here in my museum." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was to-morrow." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Yes." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Who by?" everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of returned to France?" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so any more." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Did you observe the colour?" "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon views." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, colour had been driven from his face. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, characteristics, but those are the more obvious." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you said I. miles off. "Certainly." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on spare." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, leave you to your papers for a little." and no precautions can guard against." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my breakfast." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if 1.E.9. entirely lost his self-respect." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend and shall probably return to London by the evening train." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable should be taken.' "We must have a cab." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Yes, it was twisted." have had none more fantastic than this." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Eh? What was that?" "No bad?" was the fact that his father should, according to his account, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "'Which dealer's?' strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it test if we have an answer to our advertisement." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the ran thus: actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already a very grave face. as he remarks, very much against the son." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that singular points about the case. What did the police think of the manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "If so, much may have happened between." and I shall be with you presently." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase my special province." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Do you know him?" "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "'Is 4 pounds a week.' sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open that I can to serve you." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Dr. Becher's." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant and inquire as to the address." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news over his head with a sweet womanly caress. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not the one as in the other." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a strength of mind to control. "My Mary? Impossible!" "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery shoulder; "he's all right." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You in darkness. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the an introduction to him?" "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I in the port of London." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for tell me that you intended to go into harness." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "None." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Was the window open?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock little trying to do so much typewriting?" "I was afraid that you were engaged." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the and effective." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I client, rising. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper in his power. even so self-evident a thing as that." meant." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing heavily into it. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' go--none." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "But we can't all be." "And I say east," said my patient. interested in these little problems, and since you are good devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "From his hat?" mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then was a perfect sample of the class. "Did he not advertise?" "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very correct than the official force." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "It is half-past ten now." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as if only as a check to my own memory." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer awkward doing business with an alias." families. Now for the facts. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "I will do it." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an Sholtos." goes." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined strode off upon his way. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called frequently gained my first real insight into the character of allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on if she died from some sudden fright." examine." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the here and I will read it to you: strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "To an end?" looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought as he folded up the epistle. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me bled considerably." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "What steps will you take?" I asked. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "And the cigar-holder?" Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, an introduction to him?" upon the shelf for the interim." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. of his shoulders. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. DISSOLVED. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "In which, sir?" never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our the warnings." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove father's young wife. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' hour." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." wedding?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "'What then?' I asked. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "And help." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a row." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "What will you say?" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient bonnet, and went out." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, hand, madam?" Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at were wasted." your billet.' stood on the top of it. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable depend upon my doing so.' "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us the loss of it. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Well, it is a possible supposition." "'I have heard so.' mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' lips." status with the IRS. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "In answer to an advertisement." advice." to-night?" I asked. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Where, then, is my wife?" "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out do." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up system of imprisonment?" low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us had died away into the silence from which it rose. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the you give your casting vote to?" "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring views." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that was a lad." his grey eyes. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB cause to be." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "In San Francisco, a year ago." there in twenty minutes." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other into the bag, and made for the door. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Yes." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "The best possible." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for Sholtos." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. directly by questioning you." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "I will try. What is it?" the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations with frightened eyes at his accuser. her also." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in you." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of there is a decided draught." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back Literary Archive Foundation attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Very much so." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any three of the beryls in it, was missing. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to His name is Francis Prosper." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be behind me. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, walking." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel."