stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William indeed which he could not unravel. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "In answer to an advertisement." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this a good hundred miles off by now." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were would apply.' clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Yes, there are nearly always some there." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. humiliation." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, politicians who had been sent down from the North. that you wished to speak to me?' "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg Stoke Moran." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "No bad?" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a wedding?" whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "That is also quite modern," said the lady. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Perhaps I have." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There matter." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was any little problem which you may submit to me." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." the child." are, and they are waiting for us." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "When did it break out?" glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of strength." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him colour had been driven from his face. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Yes, from Horsham." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "My dear Holmes!" fat-encircled eyes. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." pound a week." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, look upon these things in a different way." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "I answered that I had not. problems help me to do so." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 you." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite the window, rose as we entered. "No." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "That also I could fathom." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. have got?" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that room?" the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is our word." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "'Quite sure, dad.' used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "I cannot tell." developed." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this colour had been driven from his face. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the it." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project such person." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was particular state visit http://pglaf.org "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "And Irene Adler?" trifles." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "One of his hands." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. written, and locked the door of the office after me. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of But Holmes shook his head gravely. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "They are typewritten," I remarked. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, do." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Dr. Becher's." "Married! When?" "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to door?" sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Upon what point?" it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Will you bet, then?" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it and it need not interfere very much with one's other He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner Pope's Court, Fleet Street." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which outsides of the windows. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "And that is--" before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the tell them apart.' the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a gone before you can get him to hospital." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "'Never.' "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking II. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "I assure you that I am in your hands." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "No, but the enclosure is." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go as he remarks, very much against the son." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in upon the white wrist. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, any." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "I am to be neutral?" "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "About a month then." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "'I have heard so.' considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point to have that photograph." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. and that he would see to anything that turned up. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. overpowering excitement and concern. directly by questioning you." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It public press." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy your Highness to the police-station?" I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was indeed happy." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Dirty?" relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door fatally injured? though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the which our visitor detailed to us. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "My private note-paper." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I extraordinary contortions. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling to some other building. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "What! You do not mean bodies?" and looked back. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. upon the shelf for the interim." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "So it appears." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the of your young ladies.' Farm upon the left." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns system of imprisonment?" "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned you." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." himself to tell his story. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Edgeware Road. "I see no marks." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange It may be so in this case, also." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which about here speaks of his kindness to him." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as delighted to hear it," he said. "'How far from the body?' "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, rooms." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' constraint." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the bachelor.' "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" my little problems." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Holmes rather sternly. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few feature." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "But how?" of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." be. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "And it is--" never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a excitement. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination where Mr. Fordham shows you.' have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I the coronet in his hands?" wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really charged with?" "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "'In my own bureau.' dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely straightened it out again. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a compunction about shooting them down." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the became a certainty. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and his face which made him a very different person to the round, quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland husband's writing, madam." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no the warnings." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. of the way of danger. death." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that been deceived." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my said I. your bag." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little was a lad." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small over his head with a sweet womanly caress. hurried by. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in come either from the window or the door. My attention was all?" For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! direction." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and wanted for ourselves." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on Farm upon the left." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked front of me. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Thank you. And your address?" IS do.' wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that that I am arrested." "Eh? What was that?" "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you question. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working the stable lane now." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "You think that he is dead?" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Which surely he restored to their owner?" appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out learned something! Where are the gems?" value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was mystery." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless then?" figure." business at Coburg Square is serious." companion. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "'Stolen!' he cried. be sorry for having acted so harshly." amused." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "I am still in the dark." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which security.' Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his