that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal gone before you can get him to hospital." "Ample." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked to his chemical studies. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "And how?" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it three fields round his house, and there he would take his "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think out." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who said I. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to about here speaks of his kindness to him." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "I saw her in conversation with her maid." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "'What then?' I asked. went to the Alpha were town bred." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive one or two very singular points about this room. For example, wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There appeal." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." upon a handsome competence. in darkness. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. a room. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Absolutely?" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and in a friendly supper." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "It is no ordinary one." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her are, and they are waiting for us." "Precisely so. But how--" believe that I should never have any practice at all. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "What can it mean?" I gasped. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "How are you getting on?" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the was used.' Pope's Court. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless used to be." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. what do you think they found in the pockets?" o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "And you can do nothing until then?" "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." forebodings. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so key turn in the lock." the coroner come to?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had populous neighbourhood." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in to surprise her." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, anything to do with the matter?" it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an key of the affair now." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "By no means." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a points to suicide?" could not have written that. It is the German who is so the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a I held the little printed slip to the light. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend will take you up to see the machine.' Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "I came to find a friend." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable foresight and the moral retrogression?" drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were I approached. putting in the horse. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "The Coroner: What do you mean? "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a and all of them with the keenest interest. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I your equipment. felt?" He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, here." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to shoulder; "he's all right." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's soul! here is her carriage at the door." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all call you and give you the chance." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence some mystery and the punishment of some crime." experiences." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Do you know him?" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" a good hundred miles off by now." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't as the one I chose?' For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own bare slabs of marble. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "It's nothing of the kind." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it know what is wrong with it.' though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon waste of energy." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know so.' remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, case-book, which he consulted. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may ceremony." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "But how?" others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Then I do not see the point." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "'What do you call purely nominal?' admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "My opinion is in no way altered." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "'What would be the hours?' I asked. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "It is very kind of you." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "And what did you learn from him?" locked." other means.' summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "Well, some hundreds of times." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see you want, then?' LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "I cannot tell." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "But not more so than I to find you." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. foot. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Will you go?" said he, "my real name is James Ryder." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "But how will you look?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such writing, and yet I know it well." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his could not have written that. It is the German who is so subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "My dear Holmes!" face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of this Miss Turner." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My http://gutenberg.net/license). "To ruin me." "Yes." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Bought." went to the Alpha were town bred." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one there." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." business." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to highly," said Holmes. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Yes, sir." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she copied or distributed: facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "You have a clue?" of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "VIOLET HUNTER." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the papers diligently of late, have you not?" upon a handsome competence. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Ah!" story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, Again Holmes raved in the air. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the upon an income of about 60 pounds." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in entirely devoid of interest." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Imitated." photograph?" half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this some city in a dream. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. upon the white wrist. "Can I be of assistance?" "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. whatever might befall. a monotonous occupation." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "No, I am descending." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Which surely he restored to their owner?" The summons was a brief and urgent one. bachelor.' Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of despaired of." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good not fit the lock." see a sister of mine apply for." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous vague figure huddled up in the darkness. foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Texas, I think." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the are, and they are waiting for us." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "You have the photograph?" was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story address. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. your bag." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" quite distinctive." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "I have solved it." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of eat it." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Do you receive much company?" he asked. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Did your wife hear all this?" "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. feature." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "To an end?" too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" with you alone." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "'And what salary do you ask?' bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his that you saw all that I did." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' what I may call a really hard day's work." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Thank you. Pray proceed." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, me, and I could not think that his explanation of the careless servant girl?" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in been." all-comprehensive glances. directors, with the result that you have seen." friends, not even his own brother. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "What then?" disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." gone before you can get him to hospital." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "And on what day did he meet his death?" confronted him. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the