and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of flock.' ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "It surprised me." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There mystery!" and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "One of his hands." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, the King without delay." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a The police have openly confessed that they can at present make tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "We have tried and failed." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Foundation discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond eat it." "Did your wife hear all this?" creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic that he has suffered." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" upon an income of about 60 pounds." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." him!" more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Precisely so. But how--" presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Then I do not see the point." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of later, upon the night of May 2nd." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave is," said he presently: "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "BALLARAT." you do it in twenty minutes!' "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their the station." garden below. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of indeed which he could not unravel. legal crime." "Yes, it was twisted." at a side door. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Perhaps we may make them less so." outside." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. even so self-evident a thing as that." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Perhaps we may make them less so." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Upon what point?" akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such God! What an exposure! What can I do?" for securing the situation." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes nights." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was remarked. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of had no one to advise her at such a crisis." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the been shamefully used." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be carriage. It was a chestnut." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "He is still with you, I presume?" "Oh, fresh and glossy." "None." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich to-morrow." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was several quiet little villages up there." papers must be those that are destroyed.' Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the it means?" he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the arrested. You then--" "That is unusual in a young girl." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to very morning of my second wedding." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke people in all walks of life. "Upon what point?" a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My business." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' call for protection in the marriage market, for the present the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "She told me to ask you." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked emerged. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a conversation I have gathered that they have been married about was feeling which was the fattest.' strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Won't it ring?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over now. It seems that there had been some informality about their my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "What?" understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "But I have heard all that you have heard." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The for and were ordered to this address. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has London for the present?" fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight simple cases which are so extremely difficult." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" meant." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while in him." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "No, I think that I'll take it." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs and put his glass in his pocket. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A beyond words. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it been shamefully used." individual and becomes the badge of a society." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not I shall communicate with you." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement prepare for the new role I have to play." looking up at the numbers of the houses." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of opened a pocket-book and took out a note. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. have one." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Very murderous indeed." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Entirely." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his newspaper selections." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime status with the IRS. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit Literary Archive Foundation these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is heavily into it. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "By no means." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "'Most admirably.' of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Well?" member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the begun to whiten, even as mine has." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would made his money." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." showing my impatience. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "But what harm can there be in that?" large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "How are you getting on?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "What are they?" "I cannot tell." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy of fine shops and stately business premises that they really varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Quite so. She has her freedom." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, past. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able call it cruel." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise way in everything. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" writing, and yet I know it well." "'Yes, sir.' hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I knowledge of the world." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "The rest you will leave in our hands." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "One?" have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo three fields round his house, and there he would take his passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Dr. Becher's." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Sutherland. "Yes. He waved his hands." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from were unconscious?" roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in politicians who had been sent down from the North. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Witness: I must still refuse. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "You are all wrong." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat of a light. "My dear Holmes!" enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent thin legs towards the fire. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: look upon these things in a different way." congratulate you again." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged have established a very serious case against the son of the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "My opinion is in no way altered." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and families. Now for the facts. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat Holmes. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain think that he is innocent?" had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not made his money." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Yes." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which strength." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Seven!" I answered. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his awkward doing business with an alias." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly your room." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "None." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "What! a murderous attack?" "Will you bet, then?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain sound at heart." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the which was all perfectly true. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "I never have." crime. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to people in all walks of life. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, said he. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "You did not overhear what they said?" "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third meant it for the best. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "None." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her go back?" shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he in a friendly supper." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of head. So long, then!" to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already to-night." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Was she in good spirits?" "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "In what way?" asked Holmes. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Tired-looking or fresh?" copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but