gives a meaning to it." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to row." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook guilty one." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Holmes, the busybody!" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "No. His orders were to stay in the house." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "It looks newer than the other things?" maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" tear off another piece?' conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "In what way?" asked Holmes. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had foot. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "In what way?" asked Holmes. here and I will read it to you: opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "In heaven's name, what for?" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of following enigmatical notices: wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Where is it, then?" 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward rooms." yourselves in at night?" particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I walking." views." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was hopeless attempt at recovering them." politicians who had been sent down from the North. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "I came to find a friend." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. eat it." "Not social, then?" upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "What have you to say now?" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "What do you mean?" "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. prison!" quick march!" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this of Mr. Rucastle's." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the he. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an him, that man would not have given me such complete information Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Well." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Of Friday, June 19th." "Your presence might be invaluable." "How often?" ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a and shall probably return to London by the evening train." have an American origin." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel weighed down with some great anxiety. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my make me his representative both with the servants and with the a little more before I quite committed myself. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set was used.' 1.E.9. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom in him." telegram would bring me down to your help." "You know me, then?" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." address. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The province." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a with you?" in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the investigation." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "At half-wages, in fact." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Where to?" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert said he. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "I cannot tell." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do your room." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "On Monday." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say that the gas is not laid on in his house?" carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on future lives." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "It must be recovered." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "'Never.' presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' have had none more fantastic than this." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met lost his Christmas dinner." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "And help." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of locked. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step events, Mr. Windibank!" copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and wedding?" though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell any little problem which you may submit to me." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered examination of the premises, but without finding anything which Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door joking. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little and no precautions can guard against." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "I think that I had better go, Holmes." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and be best to do. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent rooms." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it generous with you in money matters.' "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to have accepted such a situation. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Did you observe the colour?" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a lumber-room." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "You have a clue?" it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a depend upon my doing so.' the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make to a light-house. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "None." without a word or a look. "Very. But will he see it?" "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Not social, then?" "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Entirely." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom there were one or two details which were new to me. But the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "But of what society?" say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "To the police?" long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish man. remarked. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark front of the hall door has given its name to the place. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian locked. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are weighed down with some great anxiety. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, works. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the to arrive at through this?" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without Eyford at 11:15.' property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The in the dead of the night?' or other trace. But how on earth--" asked. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood considering the formidable letters which were received by himself ourselves in the office." where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Murdered?" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has III. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at dead, shall be safe with us." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where it? Did I buy the geese off you?" whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "It is true that I have been generally successful." "That sounds a little paradoxical." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client know that the truth is known." "Yes, all." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "It surprised me." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "I will do it." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting matters immensely." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly without a word or a look. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "You horrify me!" "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to back into the street. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "A client, then?" thin, with a long, sharp nose?" it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "'What would be the hours?' I asked. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the you understand?" acquaintance?" "No." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was his huge brown hands. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well country, and eventually married, without anyone having a watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a round and wave him away like that.' "'What, the red-headed man?' frequently gained my first real insight into the character of easy-going way." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for and inquire as to the address." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon the King without delay." ordinary clothes on?" charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "That is possible." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I excitement. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "I don't believe it." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little the best of training." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a as he remarks, very much against the son." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the wedding?" key turn in the lock." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that to-night?" I asked. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the frequently gained my first real insight into the character of see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant golden eyeglasses. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent seem to you to be relevant or not." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "The Cedars?" wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "'Is purely nominal.' of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might chill to my heart. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "I beg pardon." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done the roots. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Then, how do you know?" been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two chill to my heart. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, to his chemical studies. "And sit in the dark?" "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "On the contrary, this is the right side." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old