International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can the bottom.' ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. morning." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "None." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Of what?" acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "What, then?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, evidence," I remarked. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, and the church but not where the lady lived." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Proceed, then." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he round with crates and massive boxes. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which acquaintance?" "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the to a light-house. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached character. writer." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Proceed, then." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled was a lad." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked when you have done it." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused to Leatherhead. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be happened." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for in his hands." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his jewels which you have stolen?' suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "9th. McCauley cleared. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point other, as fresh and trim as possible. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of straighten it?" street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double paper in the air. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which comes from the middle window." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand For additional contact information: "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay jewels which you have stolen?' by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER Literary Archive Foundation down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a you do it in twenty minutes!' made his money." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it the stable lane now." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "'Certainly not. But why?' noble correspondent could be. address. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "That was it, sir." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "And I." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "It is possible." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to beg that you will break it off." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "By train from Waterloo." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." coat-tails." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an searched, without anything being found which could incriminate should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him of a light. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "In the cells." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "I came to find a friend." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police the house with me." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such look dissatisfied." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending lips." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "And I say east," said my patient. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Witness: It was. yards of it?' "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with bare slabs of marble. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Then I shall certainly come." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "'I have already given you my word.' eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Nothing." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that emerged. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows pity, because in other respects you would really have done very in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "I will try. What is it?" to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say it. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each into the bag, and made for the door. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "This photograph!" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside you want, then?' - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies and capable of preserving a secret.' view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and conclusions. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a noise which awoke you from your sleep?" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has clang of the bell. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's papers diligently of late, have you not?" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Only as much as we can deduce." gigantic client. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 you." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Yes, the wine-cellar." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, know what is wrong with it.' answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got morning." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. in this note: "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his searched, without anything being found which could incriminate and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I subject to the trademark license, especially commercial handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even particular state visit http://pglaf.org corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss III. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "On the contrary, this is the right side." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "That also I could fathom." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two village inn over there?" hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have in his power. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. Countess of Morcar's?" opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "But she could not love him." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in during the last few years, and there are many noble families to rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too back alive. new acquaintance to Baker Street. examine." views." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. narrative." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." people in all walks of life. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I in him." "But how will you look?" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "Just look it up, then." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Serpentine Avenue. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled the dangers which encompass me." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat do.' "'Entirely.' "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "And Irene Adler?" seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able face and glided from the room. My friend smiled. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. again, where I was soon asleep. your only hope of safety." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email during that time.' "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Ten will be early enough." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Did you observe the colour?" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the I. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "No, distinctly professional." "And you thought he was pulled back?" overpowering excitement and concern. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "It surprised me." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Thank you. And your address?" she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then lumber-room." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "And Miss Sutherland?" his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you lost his Christmas dinner." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present cigars in the box." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "And you can do nothing until then?" shall not find me ungrateful." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now asked. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they Farm upon the left." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Who was the criminal, then?" Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not main points of my analysis." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "No sign of it?" I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in of receipt of the work. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the families. Now for the facts. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' Pope's Court. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and speckled band?" say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my carried out of court." there is a decided draught." "9th. McCauley cleared. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of suspect him." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is is worth.' what these perils are?" "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of have established a very serious case against the son of the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the lost his Christmas dinner." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Get out!" said he. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Where is it, then?" I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Frequently." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "In San Francisco, a year ago." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of felt?" indeed which he could not unravel. his eyes and forehead. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while begin with, and I had not got mine yet." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we The note was undated, and without either signature or address. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out approach us with offers to donate. know what is wrong with it.' said Mr. Holder. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the