"I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. Where does the thing come from?' harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "No." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them had a long day." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Yes." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you go--none." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "It was a confession," I ejaculated. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I the loss of it. system of imprisonment?" at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders suspect him." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, to a more successful conclusion." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. hour." "No, but the enclosure is." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but there." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Did your wife hear all this?" "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "It was an hour's good drive." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and 11:15.' have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united guilty parties." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "What I expected to see." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. tapping his fingers upon the table. "In San Francisco, a year ago." "No, thank goodness, she did not." certainly not very gracious." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Ah!" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, only touch the interest." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought shall use the carriage to-night." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "And for present expenses?" the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, character. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has call for protection in the marriage market, for the present rat could hardly pass through." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "'And what salary do you ask?' "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But eavesdroppers?' Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "On Monday." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Heh?' "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety figure." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a call it cruel." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers to Leatherhead. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" him nearly every evening." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "What I expected to see." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just Pool. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We whole matter to your consideration." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy carried out of court." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. passage and a tap at the door. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "What! Had he lost his wife?" I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has formed some opinion?" gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly coroner's jury." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in this poor creature." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. salesman. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with Doctor, of the paper and the date." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the both be extremely obliged.' small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and drawing your inferences." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE from you?" known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "'About the same.' about here speaks of his kindness to him." unkempt, staring out at me. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "We were both in the photograph." the general public were present, then?" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Holmes' room. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project certainly not very gracious." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a like gravel from a pit.' face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a presented more singular features than that which was associated it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Yes." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "And you thought he was pulled back?" The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "'What, the red-headed man?' forebodings. "A client, then?" "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. it." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the train.' southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced me where it went to?" over part of the map. "What do you read?" and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. seen the man in the road." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Yes." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I tied." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" learned something! Where are the gems?" His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the as yours." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up you." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Well." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "By no means." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my him. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have was feeling which was the fattest.' deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Yes." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "From his hat?" branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my rose-bushes. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Could he throw no light?" in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is from you?" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that assist you in forming an opinion." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or I leave." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the been shamefully used." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Was the window open?" find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "I am following you closely," I answered. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Did he not advertise?" This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent think that any burglar could have done. "What, then, did Peterson do?" There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent 1.F. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his mystery." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden like gravel from a pit.' signal between you and your father? conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, neither fascinating nor artistic." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Yes, certainly." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' silent! Oh, he will be silent!' about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Never." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land hurried by. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Perhaps I have." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "And how?" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of populous neighbourhood." bachelor.' and laid it on the table. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the upon the shelf for the interim." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "How did you trace it, then?" second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside existence." crackling voice. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. congratulate you again." you." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all name is different." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I wedding?" "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Yes, sir." man. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those