at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go of the vacancies.' strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up room had already been engaged for us. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest other lovers by making love himself." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were dates and names. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only my special province." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the secret." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. and I shall be with you presently." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I directors, with the result that you have seen." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the carpenter." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Come in!" said he. something of him before." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "'Certainly not.' transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "My dear Holmes!" "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about indeed which he could not unravel. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "But to whom?" even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" bled considerably." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "How did that help you?" "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to fled together." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself his face. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and Again Holmes raved in the air. "Precisely so. But how--" directors, with the result that you have seen." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to American. Then who could this American be, and why should he my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we away into the river." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a DAMAGE. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "No more words. Get out!" photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are have one." "Which are?" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "My last client of the sort was a king." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I we went to search for him, face downward in a little Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white bird of prey. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is forehead. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last 11:15.' the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be pierced for earrings?" broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "This photograph!" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "It was a confession," I ejaculated. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "When did it break out?" his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." said he. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Witness: It was. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock His name is Francis Prosper." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "He slept on the premises." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came discontent upon his features. then?" she to prove their authenticity?" said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses formed some opinion?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "He is dead," cried several voices. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "When did she vanish, then?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "I am armed." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "I will try. What is it?" I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending do.' prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to will be renamed. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls said he at last. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "'Where could I find him?' they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about some water from a caraffe. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should appeared upon the scene." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, if I call to-morrow?" chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." despair." companion. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Foundation horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "That is not always so easy." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left leaning back in his chair. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. cup of tea. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the know all about it," he snarled. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah union?" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to triumphant cloud from his cigarette. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "This photograph!" side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant some water from a caraffe. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a place no limit on the sum I may draw." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since call for protection in the marriage market, for the present instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported strength of mind to control. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here weapon." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Then I am your man." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Yesterday." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "It is his hat." "Yes, the wine-cellar." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut floor. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of and all of them with the keenest interest. and no precautions can guard against." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' wife's character?" in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the I was concerned in it." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a that before taking the final step I should like to submit the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Precisely." crowd. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the is a common subject for conversation. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. records." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which been anything against him. He had for years been known as a had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had rooms." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to tapping his fingers upon the table. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers the child." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a hour?' "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "At what time?" was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make business matters.' daring than any effort of the imagination." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the which we had just quitted. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Yes, I have one waiting." true." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "That you are never beaten." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I wife's character?" or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. in the port of London." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "In answer to an advertisement." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that must be when I saw the door open.' pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Yes." brain must have something in it." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" foot. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She place of silver." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Very well, sir. And this stone?" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed question," said Holmes, smiling. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that his grey eyes. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "What then?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. shall use the carriage to-night." "And that is--" "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am with frightened eyes at his accuser. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned hour." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. 'please.'" phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project charged with?" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens I leave." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Where did you address your letters, then?" know what is wrong with it.' planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began undoubtedly my uncle's." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come looking up at the numbers of the houses." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of nights." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "I cannot imagine." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Yes." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet leaning back in his chair. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very true." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "By all means." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little too. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this a very grave face. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty carried out of court." second." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would about. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George it." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I companion quietly. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had children over to America with him, so that I found myself without continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he to have that photograph." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "I have solved it." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Yes." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute hard-headed British jury." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "And who is her maid?" "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his attention." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of maid will bring up your coffee." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "I cannot say that I have." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to call for protection in the marriage market, for the present awaited us upon the table. "Then what has happened to him?" through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right with the outside air!" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name Eyford at 11:15.' for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a ordinary clothes on?" "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "On Monday." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Yes." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal During two years I have had three consultations and one small building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. Holmes' thin, eager face. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you outbreak?" fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you