thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way happened." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "'Never.' zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "'Certainly,' I answered. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom would then never go into court at all." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to even of instruction." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must salesman. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which salesman. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "The rest you will leave in our hands." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to at home. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford Holmes' room. legal crime." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he unprofitable." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the wedding?" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have simple cases which are so extremely difficult." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. minor matters until to-morrow." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and will he say when he returns?" gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some Dr. Gregory B. Newby putting in the horse. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had placed his cuttings. "In heaven's name, what for?" think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and province." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should some city in a dream. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at tell him that I know him to be innocent." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "And help." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A roused himself from his reverie. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was people don't know." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "What do you mean?" "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "I am armed." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "And your father? Did you tell him?" them?" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me to surprise her." had died away into the silence from which it rose. neither fascinating nor artistic." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was this as likely?" giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he that you can jump it.' "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "What! You do not mean bodies?" came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to to-night?' would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "I have seen the police." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." companion. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "So I have heard." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of undoubtedly my uncle's." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad this poor creature." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. there was no need for father to know." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. answered with a sidelong glance. could go. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Can I be of assistance?" "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door might have a private word with us. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Dr. Becher's." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I weapon." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Stolen." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I habit of advancing money.' on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I you want, then?' no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our them, and came down just as you departed. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have own family. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, Project Gutenberg-tm works. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Breckinridge is his name." second." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "I cannot say that I have." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." business." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere chance." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily his face which made him a very different person to the round, investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not would apply.' my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not asked with his eyes open. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked will be renamed. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "'Where to?' very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a The note was undated, and without either signature or address. young Openshaw's." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "I have a cab outside." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it any more." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Eh? What was that?" should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried quickly through a disagreeable task. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he call you and give you the chance." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and appeared upon the scene." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "'It is locked up,' I answered. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that For additional contact information: light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no the address that was given us in the advertisement. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" how narrow had been my escape. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" not as remarkable as your advertisement." "My dear Holmes!" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "You think that he is dead?" transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch of this gang." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "The murder was done with it." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, presented more singular features than that which was associated "ARAT," I read. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "And you don't know his address?" What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "'Very good.' "Absolutely?" going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to an introduction to him?" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, himself to hunt down. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "'Is 4 pounds a week.' and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Not in a good cause." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from house for five minutes.' little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let him to be an active member of the medical profession." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying with some details as to your case." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, me. his huge brown hands. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "None." crime. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court your room." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, other means.' room. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: tied." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the was a lad." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "And I." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Of what?" or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "What have you done?" asked Holmes. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You this poor creature." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Not I." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every could go. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" said he at last. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have three of the beryls in it, was missing. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" this poor creature." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "No." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. you for a few hours?" remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I some water from a caraffe. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened stepfather?" another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in emerged. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots very morning of my second wedding." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the I was concerned in it." with you?" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" in this way: aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel in this way: pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure think, you have already met." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the was already answered. "Dark enough and sinister enough." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a which was all perfectly true. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had you for a few hours?" the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Then you may entirely rely on me." village inn over there?" dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." noble correspondent could be. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when was feeling which was the fattest.' "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news minor matters until to-morrow." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the opened the door, and slipped through. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "We must sit without light. He would see it through the him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "From his hat?" were unconscious?" "No." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his could go. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "I should wish to." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in