affair. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "The best possible." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a hair?' silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "A confidential servant?" to tackle the facts." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; correct than the official force." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, back alive. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "If so, much may have happened between." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. daring than any effort of the imagination." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Dr. Becher's." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that letters?" Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "How often?" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "We must sit without light. He would see it through the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Eyford at 11:15.' it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "So I heard. You have him here?" sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point such person." "'Quite sure, dad.' the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "That is it on the dressing-table." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. during that time.' his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "At half-wages, in fact." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a despair." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." wedding?" with her." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "'And the work?' lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to know all about it," he snarled. the nursery. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "The best possible." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking things are very often connected not with the larger but with the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "'Ample.' late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. his eyes and forehead. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in was used.' from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his and the church but not where the lady lived." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, the very letters. But what is this written above them?' two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Ha! you find it so?" withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "I am to be neutral?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I feature." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he note?" habit of advancing money.' applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" flock.' "Do you know him?" "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, The police have openly confessed that they can at present make and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only prove to be little relation between the different incidents of broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "No bad?" 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. beg that you will break it off." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice things are very often connected not with the larger but with the You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "That is possible." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear bedroom door." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "And why?" a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all out of this horrible affair." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." electronic works gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his green of the new foliage. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall matter over." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which astonishment. the inner apartment." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and very peculiar words of the dying woman?" hour." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "An accident, I presume?" whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where waste of energy." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "Then how many are there?" doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice during that time.' Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining guilty parties." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "You think that he is dead?" were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Why did you beat the pavement?" returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is just called myself is not exactly my own." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Dirty?" me. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Then you may be so with me." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Did your wife hear all this?" make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at to affect your life." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the the south-west, I see." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital Have you good authority for what you say?" and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to beg that you will break it off." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite believe that I should never have any practice at all. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." entirely lost his self-respect." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Nothing." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Pray be precise as to details," said he. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Yes." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "To the police?" my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Nothing." shoulder; "he's all right." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "But how could you guess what the motive was?" which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "You have carte blanche." him to go away.' will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Certainly." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Deserted you?" go back?" remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the pictures, libraries, or plate. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut troubles have been weighing upon his mind. been shamefully used." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I page at http://pglaf.org "But she could not love him." "My opinion is in no way altered." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the colour had been driven from his face. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Absolutely none." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box to take care of herself." cost them two and thirty pounds." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is do.' stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the a very grave face. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day bed dies. Does not that strike you?" and your relations to her." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "What will you do, then?" breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside it. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "'Why that?' I asks. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "By no means." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." possible that we could bring him back to her? "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the open." became a certainty. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Yes, at the mines." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "My Mary? Impossible!" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "That sounds a little paradoxical." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be shall use the carriage to-night." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was like that before?" practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Where, then?" "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I may have an influence upon European history." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was The events in question occurred in the early days of my me what he had done with the three missing stones. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the retorted upon me, and I on you." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards suggested at once that there must be a communication between the the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser again." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "I have seen the police." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Come in!" said he. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "And for present expenses?" right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project details." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the house for five minutes.' locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "My stepfather's business papers." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very despaired of." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your we went to search for him, face downward in a little quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian said I. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction floor. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began was not a bird to be seen there. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded to-morrow." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no it with his own hands." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Seven!" I answered. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City he died? "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed distinguish the words: fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "And Miss Sutherland?" c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have made him keep the appointment." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, he bowed and left the room without another word.