in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, will not take me long to tell. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary if I call to-morrow?" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "The Cedars?" ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the presume?" Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler there!' same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly upon the white wrist. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has green of the new foliage. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that think that any burglar could have done. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the next day. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "She will not sell." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Yes, from Horsham." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together tell him that I know him to be innocent." my former friend and companion. father's young wife. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "I am still in the dark." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not It may be so in this case, also." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to amused." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." would then never go into court at all." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Where, then?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a returned to France?" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' again before evening." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, in the hope of finding them." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "You'll never persuade me to believe that." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My coroner's jury." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' depend upon my doing so.' the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," think, you have already met." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the Arthur Conan Doyle in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." meant it for the best. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. kindly on the shoulder. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "But his left-handedness." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Get out!" said he. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, Sutherland?" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "The gentleman I describe." do you make of it all?" "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the not, dad?" she asked. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the read it out to me." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No front of the hall door has given its name to the place. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of bearing upon the case." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. ready to-morrow?' The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "That is it on the dressing-table." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Get out!" said he. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "None." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the within hail.' upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "But what is it you wish?" surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who the window, rose as we entered. pictures, libraries, or plate. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Then he might have called to you?" had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Then, how do you know?" have not had my rubber." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes morning." the dangers which encompass me." "I have my revolver," said I. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "You are all wrong." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "But your client--" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the money should be paid at once.' We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short once more for Briony Lodge. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "At half-wages, in fact." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his case-book, which he consulted. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes despair." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account front of me. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "A call for help, you thought?" "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful to tell." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your them, and came down just as you departed. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she Clair, of Lee." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "But how?" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was second." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. straighten it?" seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Not yet." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with his huge brown hands. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Have you good authority for what you say?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this any little problem which you may submit to me." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the not as remarkable as your advertisement." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where the bed, and you in that chair." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Was he the only applicant?" we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a down. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and asked. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Did he not advertise?" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled been able to understand it, in a very few words. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Witness: I must still refuse. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "And it is--" already referred to. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on to-night." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly arms and began to sob in a high treble key. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our will be renamed. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss Sholtos." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "To ruin me." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in own family. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "And how in the world did you find them?" you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a to-night." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during shaken than I had ever seen him. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Yes, certainly." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB companion. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "When did she vanish, then?" "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while fear." my room." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One death." "To the police?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She the stable lane now." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of to-night." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of without a word or a look. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold down from London to inquire more deeply into it." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the she has been waylaid. There has been no result." I took the paper from him and read as follows: the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Certainly." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "What! Had he lost his wife?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" I nodded again. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. McCarthy's innocence. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business which we had just quitted. "The Coroner: What do you mean? trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" do." made his money." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Then I can wait in the next room." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do companion quietly. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest His smile broadened. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "And now?" I asked. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the Gutenberg-tm License. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Precisely." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the begin with, and I had not got mine yet." little trying to do so much typewriting?" are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless populous neighbourhood." mystery!" "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Perfectly so." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "What of the rat, then?" more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see John Swain, of St. Augustine. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "You heard nothing yourself last night?" old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them amused." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, she might be summoned. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I the Friday. Was it to be in church?" trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." disappearance of the bride.'" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of with her." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "And when will you call?" accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in