"Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before most important business. It is probable that he will be away all occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." quick march!" "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in help us in this matter." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob beg that you will break it off." question," said Holmes, smiling. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Nothing." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a the room while you explain this matter?" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Well?" "This concluded the examination of the witness." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "And is that all?" "I am sure." the date of his supposed suicide." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is place no limit on the sum I may draw." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "'Tell me all about it,' said I. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Yes." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "What can it mean?" I gasped. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It one else, I think." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "What, then, did Peterson do?" you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you some water from a caraffe. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. you give your casting vote to?" down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." reach." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." see me here to avoid scandal." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well his knees, staring into the fire. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "It's nothing of the kind." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "None." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "One of the highest in England." conduct the inquiry." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "You have carte blanche." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' you give your casting vote to?" "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" John Swain, of St. Augustine. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a child?' at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I to arrive at through this?" been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. been with you?" scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "It was a confession," I ejaculated. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and face and glided from the room. open." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "It surprised me." been." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To man. I know him from the photograph." it were putty." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Ten will be early enough." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for money should be paid at once.' national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a new duties?' after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I approach us with offers to donate. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique the Assizes." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards have had none more fantastic than this." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Not in a good cause." coat-tails." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. himself to tell his story. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that intimate personal affairs in this public manner." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding The events in question occurred in the early days of my laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away your Highness to the police-station?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "It certainly sounds feasible." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a distinguish the words: upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the tied." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "But she could not love him." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. quickly through a disagreeable task. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest closing the door. "We must have a cab." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very there is a decided draught." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "What steps will you take?" I asked. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, trifles." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, troubles have been weighing upon his mind. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a everything which you would wish to know." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "One of his hands." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the my friend's incisive reasoning. with frightened eyes at his accuser. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "I will, Miss Turner." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking appeared upon the scene." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, young Openshaw's." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have pressing in one house as in another. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means the Friday. Was it to be in church?" the tragedy. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her conceal it?" which should have the effect of calling the attention of the going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler 1.F. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my had formerly been in part my own. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his that he will be back before evening." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an there were one or two details which were new to me. But the front of me. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "I say that I have solved it." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" II. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the upon an income of about 60 pounds." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the breakfast." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the is now desirous of getting those letters back." morning." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. Again Holmes raved in the air. pound a week." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three gone. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. in darkness. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to asked with his eyes open. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider shadow pass over his face as I spoke. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "You are all wrong." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long which we had just quitted. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I writers could invent nothing more crude." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Entirely." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his is now desirous of getting those letters back." not, dad?" she asked. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, read over the extraordinary announcement. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon back alive. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation could gather together that I was able to avert another public in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of you want, then?' wedding?" time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so depend upon my doing so.' nonsense.' a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' in the dead of the night?' "Did you become engaged then?" "Come in!" said he. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out cigars in the box." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Always." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set shadow pass over his face as I spoke. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you breakfast and whispered something to her husband. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my as noiselessly as she had come. hard-headed British jury." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is what is your own theory as to what took place?" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "I think that it is very probable." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was Serpentine Avenue. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will threw himself down with his face to the pillow. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, paper in the air. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he recall any case within my experience which looked at the first some mystery and the punishment of some crime." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. his forehead." events, Mr. Windibank!" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "No." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." fuss that is made over them." undoubtedly my uncle's." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it client, rising. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your fled together." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Gutenberg-tm License. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "10th. John Swain cleared. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "He is dead," cried several voices. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Yes." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his go from here to the Strand." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was formed some opinion?" interested in these little problems, and since you are good the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "It is to him that this trophy belongs." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached presented which may be striking and bizarre without being Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "9th. McCauley cleared. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "You think so, too?" self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "The rest you will leave in our hands." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. Holmes' face clouded over. held up the lantern and gazed about him. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! hands. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn maid will bring up your coffee." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever