to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are young Openshaw's." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I paper in the air. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and closely." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his business." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque prison!" "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily you." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America disturbance in my wife." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my DISSOLVED. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to or other trace. But how on earth--" country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter answer." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "I assure you that I am in your hands." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a bird I ate is country bred." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the British peeress.'" the best of training." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by and wait." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had little trying to do so much typewriting?" and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just whatever might befall. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "'Quite sure, dad.' Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "She told me to ask you." "How did that help you?" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. his grey eyes. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the to-night." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "But the mystery?" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "'Yes, I promise.' lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after Where does the thing come from?' doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "But I am all in the dark." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "I cannot think." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried of the one which your family is now devouring." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "He disappeared so suddenly." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the III. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several you want, then?' goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper the night.' nothing with him." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Nothing?" protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as empty. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All fishes. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Stolen, then." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "You are hungry," I remarked. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "No sign of it?" deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the it." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I impression behind it as though a window had gently closed his grey eyes. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the charged with?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, it. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. straighten it?" on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Witness: It was. seven miles from Eyford Station.' "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could it means?" with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, meant it for the best. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper for securing the situation." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my there has been an enclosure here!" "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock closely." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you morning." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "'You doubt its value?' he asked. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back American. Then who could this American be, and why should he Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side sofa. This way, please!" "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, shoulder; "he's all right." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building bill, which interests me deeply." or in danger--" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in just called myself is not exactly my own." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must have an American origin." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "What do you make of that, Watson?" relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony you in your example." absorbing." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian particular state visit http://pglaf.org has little to do with my story." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" she might be summoned. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the strength." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I said he, "my real name is James Ryder." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth the side-table." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "And sit in the dark?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his October 9, 1890. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" putting in the horse. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault think you a quite exceptional woman." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Very well, sir. And this stone?" down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic true." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "No." tension within him. conceal it?" to change my dress. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "'Oh, no.' is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "'Ample.' fled together." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "What is it?" though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you strength of mind to control. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Was there a secret marriage?" Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade friends, not even his own brother. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some nonsense.' "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the straighten it?" the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my to have that photograph." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "'A dozen yards or so.' baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend fasten all the windows?" difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Pray let us have it, for all that." the Red-headed League." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I companion imperturbably. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how through." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal must be when I saw the door open.' heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "And sit in the dark?" creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical once more for Briony Lodge. and inquire as to the address." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out outside. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my fishes. "But his lameness?" was once confined in the cab my mission was practically that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of Have you good authority for what you say?" he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and had a long day." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "By all means." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "'I shall certainly be there.' came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "And how did you find out?" be there in time for your coming." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "By all means." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "'Ample.' again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "And how in the world did you find them?" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Which are?" "Which are?" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one see me here to avoid scandal." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" problems help me to do so." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled do.' '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest question you as to those details which seem to me to be most story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, locked. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left desk. I shall communicate with you." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. Sutherland?" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little again." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. to take care of herself." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to all?" my friend's incisive reasoning. John Swain, of St. Augustine. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "It surprised me." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my you understand?" Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend there when the Rucastles went away." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him go from here to the Strand." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office way in everything. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "I have solved it." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet where she found matters as described by the last witness. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the best detective that ever lived. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I ways of our fellow-men." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to