"I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed once more to my work. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "And leave your case unfinished?" brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The chambers. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, he died? "I cannot tell." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he ashen face. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover me where it went to?" We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let to-night?' the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Entirely." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement carried out of court." believe that I should never have any practice at all. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for address. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared may never be exposed to such a temptation." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the his eyes and forehead. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I was a perfect sample of the class. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "To an English lawyer named Norton." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this very peculiar words of the dying woman?" several quiet little villages up there." of the way of danger. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. and a shock of very red hair. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very his face. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been the coroner come to?" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which how narrow had been my escape. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "And how did you find out?" tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well call the police, let the police find what they can.' If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. read it out to me." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "One of his hands." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat someone who had been in Australia." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "My stepfather's business papers." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "What?" have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, His name is Francis Prosper." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation second window is the one that I jumped from." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Has he come with you to-night?" roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman which are rolled in Rotterdam." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. could not have written that. It is the German who is so performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "That is easily got." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "9th. McCauley cleared. heavily into it. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a Holmes rather sternly. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by companion. train.' "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I the stones. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Certainly." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to of campaign. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter formed some opinion?" left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "'Then let me do so?' husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "'Very good.' disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "'Why that?' I asks. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both nothing of it?" go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Deserted you?" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility and all of them with the keenest interest. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for hair?' which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "About a month then." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." in the hope of finding them." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the man. I know him from the photograph." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Can I be of assistance?" Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would Holmes. then?" my secret was safe in his possession. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Not him." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "No more words. Get out!" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "But I have heard all that you have heard." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, and effective." "Yes." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. annoyance, but no jest. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I fear." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "A greater distance to travel." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double been deceived." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "My private note-paper." "Entirely." that you can jump it.' coroner's jury." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "His face fell immediately. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend to take care of herself." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "None." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Certainly." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt arrangements." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I his cane at the bell-pull. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "No. What a strange idea!" them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the in the dead of the night?' so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Nearly eleven." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly experiences." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" acted in my house last night?" "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Where, indeed?" "ARAT," I read. Countess of Morcar's?" tied." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "No good news?" providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as which was all perfectly true. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong and files of the old papers, following the future career of every fattened it expressly for you.' had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair province." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Yes." License. You must require such a user to return or shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if him and tried to hold him back. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Whose house is it?" Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad Sutherland. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "I have seen the police." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the you came in." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "I say that I have solved it." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no cigars in their mouths. could not have written that. It is the German who is so in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, him. "Yes." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "I saw her in conversation with her maid." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With meant." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She man. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Very. But will he see it?" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, with her." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell hard-headed British jury." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove interested in these little problems, and since you are good "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "And your father? Did you tell him?" round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "And the cigar-holder?" my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "A client, then?" man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his washing it down with a long draught of water. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with together. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" she used." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Yes." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since she used." such person." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." affection." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man