brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "I should like to see him very much." started for the Temple to see my husband. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with side. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "What will you do, then?" coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of ill-usage at the hands of fortune. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Breckinridge is his name." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness companion imperturbably. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make from you?" "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Stolen." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course least a most suspicious remark." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "'Certainly not. But why?' sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such promised to bring home. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she think, you have already met." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "If I can be of use." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock to a light-house. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which one of them." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not to some other building. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds quick march!" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "By all means." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if or in danger--" centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Very much so." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "'Tell me all about it,' said I. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the him, that man would not have given me such complete information refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you outside." people don't know." Again Holmes raved in the air. "That is easily got." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do details." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Dirty?" "Yes, the wine-cellar." felt?" "You horrify me." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, clanging. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in of the one which your family is now devouring." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your it means?" one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who wedding?" to that open window." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his business matters.' had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There arms and began to sob in a high treble key. and put his glass in his pocket. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." said Mr. Holder. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "It looks newer than the other things?" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. his cane at the bell-pull. "Stolen, then." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean bled considerably." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "No." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." 1.F. "No." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. I shall continue with my miserable story. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too there in twenty minutes." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the indeed happy." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My coroner's jury." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to with frightened eyes at his accuser. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "No sign of it?" "And you don't know his address?" the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did eavesdroppers?' "My own seal." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very it? Did I buy the geese off you?" his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Precisely." Holmes' face clouded over. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out that you wished to speak to me?' to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." her also." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will waste of energy." "That also I could fathom." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon this as likely?" which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, even so self-evident a thing as that." long narrative. individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of was already answered. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" new duties?' "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting quick march!" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his examination of the premises, but without finding anything which be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had if I call to-morrow?" shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face into the room. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the only touch the interest." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so your Highness to the police-station?" photograph a cabinet?" I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Yes." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "'Yes, it was gone.' there in twenty minutes." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the was feeling which was the fattest.' and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "What can you not understand?" manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." money should be paid at once.' "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must to talk it over. "That is not always so easy." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the to affect your life." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "You forget that I know nothing about it." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest you." "And how?" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and ways of our fellow-men." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "That also I could fathom." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault wanted for ourselves." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more to-night." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And would apply.' observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the as he remarks, very much against the son." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then off." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds McCarthy's innocence. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of fattened it expressly for you.' facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be and laid it on the table. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch sit on the left-hand side of the driver." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "But your client--" direction." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. some city in a dream. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "And sit in the dark?" time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Why did you beat the pavement?" to where he stood hid behind the curtain. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler fait accompli?" "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to child?' Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "'What do you call purely nominal?' breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow details." depend upon my doing so.' Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my him and tried to hold him back. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "You did not overhear what they said?" to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of it with his own hands." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" in one or two places in England?' given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal been." I leave." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at a room. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "'Certainly not. But why?' "She showed me, as I told you she would." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be problems help me to do so." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been when your master had gone out." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" asked. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. about here speaks of his kindness to him." read over the extraordinary announcement. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been gives a meaning to it." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "'Is purely nominal.' distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Did he not advertise?" "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation you." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Your presence might be invaluable." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the instincts rose up against that laugh. married her." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir followed. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the putting in the horse. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "You are all wrong." "I don't believe it." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Did you observe the colour?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact again before evening." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black a very grave face. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no down from London to inquire more deeply into it." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and stood on the top of it. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "I think it very unlikely." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the danger is over." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Oh, fresh and glossy." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and