was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does photograph a cabinet?" "Certainly, madam." ventilator." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Yes, at the mines." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector morning." his eyes and forehead. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is is a common subject for conversation. point in the dark hollow of his hand. a little more before I quite committed myself. "My dear Holmes!" along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I back to my heart. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the open." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting should be taken.' didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he Mrs. Toller serenely. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did I shall communicate with you." "But you have hopes?" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left little trying to do so much typewriting?" wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. quick march!" door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. father's place of business?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had might help us?" ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than to a more successful conclusion." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way the coronet at all injured?" impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that business matters.' attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us could go. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" with frightened eyes at his accuser. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. security.' those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "None." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his fact, we may call it conclusive." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his over with notes and figures. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a conclusions. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "You know me, then?" "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head begun to whiten, even as mine has." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be respectable self." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my child?' the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my developed." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." it with his own hands." young Openshaw's." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us article?" by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes flock.' where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George hand, madam?" "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are call it cruel." ready to-morrow?' through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing would then never go into court at all." posted to-day." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." been with you?" meant." "I was sure that I might rely on you." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you to you." you give your casting vote to?" believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I weigh very heavily upon my conscience." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the used to be." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his new acquaintance to Baker Street. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." questionable one." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the hour." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: nights." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Yes." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' chemical work which was so dear to him. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at point in the dark hollow of his hand. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "And what then?" at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he enter Dr. Roylott's room." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of death." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and It may be so in this case, also." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which and shall probably return to London by the evening train." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora sit on the left-hand side of the driver." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "But he might be a bachelor." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been me where it went to?" sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident tear off another piece?' never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was cigars in the box." desk. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than of a light. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a relation between them, and what the object of his repeated however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was if only as a check to my own memory." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "No bad?" was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at answer." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry present." constraint." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and fuss that is made over them." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for events than those which have happened in my own family." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in Holmes rather sternly. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Why did you beat the pavement?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Yes, there are nearly always some there." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Come in!" said he. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' desk. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "And from a noble client?" "'Stolen!' he cried. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had best detective that ever lived. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which always that they were such commands as a lady might with and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read him, that man would not have given me such complete information Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside good for you to do.' her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the coroner's jury." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "What office?" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' the stones. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is occupations.' profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." forebodings. Foundation through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that make me his representative both with the servants and with the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "'Which dealer's?' the room while you explain this matter?" "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Who was the criminal, then?" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his this unhappy family?" In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Thank you. Pray proceed." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a least a most suspicious remark." her also." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this clang of the bell. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, six. Come in!" But Holmes shook his head gravely. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been again on its way. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees where she found matters as described by the last witness. Pope's Court. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are over part of the map. "What do you read?" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for laugh and put his lips to my ear. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope just ask you whether you had heard it.' "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "But she will refuse." to-night?" I asked. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several remarked. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His has little to do with my story." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. will not take me long to tell. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have be.' time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end and all of them with the keenest interest. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I matter over." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "My dear Holmes!" "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning had this final quarrel? the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "How about poison?" tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and 11:15.' father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "He said that you could solve anything." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "'How far from the body?' I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain hour?' a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "'And what are they worth?' I asked. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I quickly through a disagreeable task. eat it." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Holmes rather sternly. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, note?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there any little problem which you may submit to me." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Then I shall certainly come." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes and no precautions can guard against." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Absolutely none." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come of a light. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "We must have a cab." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked charged with?" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There six. Come in!"