fasten all the windows?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "We must have a cab." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed rat could hardly pass through." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Indeed! Whose, then?" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "A confidential servant?" "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be of Fenchurch Street." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Nor running a chance of arrest?" whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their chair. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Yes, I have one waiting." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Yes, all." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "That is unusual in a young girl." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst page at http://pglaf.org fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving DISSOLVED. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so friend's singular character. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass absolutely follow my advice in every respect." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Holmes, the busybody!" "He is dead," cried several voices. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I and a shock of very red hair. sake, don't!" words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through article?" "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "But she will refuse." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "To an end?" "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly peculiar to him. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "No, I am descending." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of had this final quarrel? "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and garden below. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Seven!" I answered. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and bled considerably." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached invisible to me," I remarked. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen subject to the trademark license, especially commercial unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the way in." house for five minutes.' pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "'What do you call purely nominal?' experiences." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Then I do not see the point." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Thank you. And your address?" "One?" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Deserted you?" took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. go back?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "I have seen the police." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "A greater distance to travel." outside." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a it." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "What! Had he lost his wife?" o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." breakfast?" gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "That is not always so easy." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, you?' with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. way in everything. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "It must be recovered." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the IS multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "I guessed as much." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger the little opening for the ventilator is." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Holmes' room. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into them?" "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she name is different." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an you." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. his wife has ceased to love him." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the remarked. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "I have seen the police." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "And you thought he was pulled back?" and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes experiences." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Whose house is it?" safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and sufficient punishment." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." of the way of danger. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a dates and names. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy shall not find me ungrateful." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand and effective." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already During two years I have had three consultations and one small "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a even so self-evident a thing as that." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "And what did you learn from him?" pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Can I be of assistance?" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "It came here." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I hour?' exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first legal crime." "I say that I have solved it." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was appeared upon the scene." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. danger is over." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." bearing upon the case." on re-entering her father's house?" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "At the wedding breakfast." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no sound at heart." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still prove to be little relation between the different incidents of strong reason behind." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists see a sister of mine apply for." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "None. Neville wrote those words." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't help us in this matter." "Then you may be so with me." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect any more." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Who was the criminal, then?" chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened is entirely a question of barometric pressure." beyond words. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "None. Neville wrote those words." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in way: Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "My private note-paper." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." or in danger--" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing miles off. I have it here in my museum." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just were unconscious?" having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Of what day?" "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary public press." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "It's nothing of the kind." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': waste of energy." forebodings. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Yes, all." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." retorted upon me, and I on you." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." of campaign. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might in his power. prison!" we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Precisely." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place breakfast." "Won't it ring?" At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "I should like to see him very much." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as following enigmatical notices: which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "I was afraid that you were engaged." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side pound a week." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the strong and stiff." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past which are rolled in Rotterdam." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, comes from the middle window." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself I nodded to show that I had heard. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope the little opening for the ventilator is." it right.' "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. call it cruel." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "The rest you will leave in our hands." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and here." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "This photograph!" "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "I will try. What is it?" from the brougham. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it is," said he presently: the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Nothing." danger is over." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and corner of the building. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "But I am all in the dark." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of do." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. John Swain, of St. Augustine. key of the affair now." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his call you and give you the chance." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was