my little problems." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining knowledge of the world." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as suspect him." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "I see no marks." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "'Never,' said I. tightly behind him. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty wall." eavesdroppers?' "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you him!" whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with key turn in the lock." For additional contact information: casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he one else, I think." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "She told me to ask you." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray British peeress.'" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "'Never,' said I. matters immensely." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "'And the work?' however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "At half-wages, in fact." affection." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. you in yours." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "I cannot imagine." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his to Leatherhead. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, companion imperturbably. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He his knees, staring into the fire. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes crime. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Yes." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a bell. Holmes whistled. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent the Assizes." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "I have my revolver," said I. whole matter to your consideration." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Oh, yes, easily." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a man. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that you." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get over with notes and figures. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" what is your own theory as to what took place?" his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for six. Come in!" I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "And when will you call?" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "He said that you could solve anything." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "My dear Holmes!" that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Well, but China?" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with charge against him will break down." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to interest. They are important, you understand, without being but preventing her from injuring another. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press results." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. galvanised. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at go--none." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would depend upon my doing so.' the dangers which encompass me." I was concerned in it." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "What I expected to see." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his know what is wrong with it.' husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I been able to understand it, in a very few words. "I should like to see him very much." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice weighed down with some great anxiety. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning would apply.' common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She in your London, you will know that the office of the company is stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Ha! you find it so?" "I do." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. strong reason behind." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." call for it in person on Monday morning.' it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "And help." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland she might be summoned. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we miles off. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. good for you to do.' "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit nothing of it?" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the yards of it?' desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one ordinary clothes on?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon This is what he says: "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until side. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "I would pay ten." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he will not take me long to tell. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated made him keep the appointment." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my some water from a caraffe. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, strong reason behind." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and http://gutenberg.net/license). so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' me upon any point which I do not make clear." new duties?' reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. morning." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you but preventing her from injuring another. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. conceal it?" "That is possible." "Was the window open?" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Well." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child in this note: "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an lectures into a series of tales." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect we went to search for him, face downward in a little this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of south, for the country is more deserted there." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far you for a few hours?" "And your father? Did you tell him?" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined copied or distributed: answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did call for it in person on Monday morning.' lost his Christmas dinner." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "It's nothing of the kind." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' away in different directions, and I went off to make my own has little to do with my story." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Of what day?" person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, astonishment. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "What!" he roared. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very to take care of herself." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that to that open window." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while in a very precise fashion." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Was there a secret marriage?" "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" standing smiling on the door-step. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "What, then?" "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in weigh very heavily upon my conscience." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Stolen, then." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." as this. Pray let me have the details." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine both be extremely obliged.' Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "And who is her maid?" "You have but to name it." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." closing the door. chamber." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I think you a quite exceptional woman." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of gone. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too chance." affection." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' there in twenty minutes." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He look upon these things in a different way." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never allusion to a rat. thin legs towards the fire. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be the matter?" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil acted in my house last night?" "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." which are rolled in Rotterdam." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in I held the little printed slip to the light. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Upon what point?" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." may never be exposed to such a temptation." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "It was an hour's good drive." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." mysterious end." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and bachelor.' and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this details should find their way into the papers. Inspector heavily into it. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "The best possible." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To begun to whiten, even as mine has." clang of the bell. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Was he the only applicant?" quickly through a disagreeable task. the night.' "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the records." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through hard-headed British jury." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless him. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Of what day?" The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." you want, then?' eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. as this. Pray let me have the details." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day