fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard troubles have been weighing upon his mind. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to which should have the effect of calling the attention of the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained something of him before." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found man. against a man in the prime of life?" "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his status with the IRS. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "On your arm?" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. into the room. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "To ruin me." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves not within a twentieth part of the market price." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to matters immensely." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his I nodded again. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "What is it?" "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, with her." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. easy-going way." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that see a sister of mine apply for." "You forget that I know nothing about it." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came cup of tea. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers call you and give you the chance." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated burst out into a roar of laughter. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but existence." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have any little problem which you may submit to me." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced families. Now for the facts. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "And how in the world did you find them?" "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. point in the dark hollow of his hand. Eyford." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "That is unusual in a young girl." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Were they all fastened this morning?" professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "'Yes, sir.' Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each distinguish the words: of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two could gather together that I was able to avert another public "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution for its centre. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at 11:15.' bearing upon the case." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp Holmes' room. just called myself is not exactly my own." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. have been better. It is all right." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." beyond words. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a read over the extraordinary announcement. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and a good hundred miles off by now." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, begun to whiten, even as mine has." call the police, let the police find what they can.' "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and nonsense.' "I cannot imagine." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "You know me, then?" that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by correct than the official force." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" dramatic, in fact." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" he. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Really! You surprise me." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had past. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Thank you. Pray proceed." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles upon the shelf for the interim." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Well, some hundreds of times." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had the one as in the other." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Which are?" inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This his face which made him a very different person to the round, stepfather?" little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "No, but the enclosure is." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Oh, yes, easily." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Get out!" said he. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock politicians who had been sent down from the North. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Not I." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "I see many objections to any such theory." if only as a check to my own memory." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have photograph?" conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one brandy and water within his reach. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose shall use the carriage to-night." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I children over to America with him, so that I found myself without Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really nice household for a young lady." rat could hardly pass through." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond followed. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a for securing the situation." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "I assure you that I am in your hands." fled together." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Yes." "How on earth--" will be renamed. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. 1.E.9. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "I was mad--insane." Henry Baker is a member." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Then I do not see the point." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "My own seal." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your if I call to-morrow?" turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "And why in hopes?" But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Yes, but only for you and me." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "I was certainly surprised to find you there." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "What! You do not mean bodies?" "'In my own bureau.' "He disappeared so suddenly." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Yesterday." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who joking. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "The knees of his trousers." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Well, it is a possible supposition." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Entirely." place no limit on the sum I may draw." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Yes, it would be as well." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most kindly on the shoulder. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed shoulder. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." acted in my house last night?" dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." again on its way. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still have established a very serious case against the son of the after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. that you saw all that I did." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our conduct the inquiry." not within a twentieth part of the market price." "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Very. But will he see it?" "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "And I say east," said my patient. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "'Where to?' Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "No bad?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." visitors." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "'Very good.' most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Not in a good cause." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at the warnings." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's mystery may be cleared along those lines." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's here." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection You want to know what became of those geese?" mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Serpentine Avenue. when your master had gone out." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or gone. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Can I be of assistance?" consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "How are you getting on?" Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I overpowering excitement and concern. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." written, and locked the door of the office after me. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "You have compromised yourself seriously." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would breakfast and whispered something to her husband. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" writer." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "One of his hands." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's father's young wife. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a and I shall be with you presently." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the door?" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet of campaign. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in you." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking during the last few years, and there are many noble families to business at Coburg Square is serious." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Did he not advertise?" money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, the one as in the other." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and upon a handsome competence. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What where she found matters as described by the last witness. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, round and wave him away like that.' plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the the loss of it. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in late." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of client, rising. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better