He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story shaken than I had ever seen him. "A client, then?" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San direction." awkward doing business with an alias." "My own seal." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "My dear Holmes!" "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Who by?" clang of the bell. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "I will not look." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, guilty one." "Never." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary unclasping of his long thin hands. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and to tell." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as place, I think that there is good ground to think that the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord skylight. dramatic, in fact." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Have you her photograph?" "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he Serpentine Avenue. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this think that any burglar could have done. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "To an end?" "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a late." "Where, indeed?" greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." might have a private word with us. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a Project Gutenberg-tm works. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his some water from a caraffe. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is orange pips. union?" direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "I should wish to." in. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and on re-entering her father's house?" against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Farm upon the left." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence them, and came down just as you departed. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and occurred." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am to me. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Absolutely?" "But how could you guess what the motive was?" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "'You doubt its value?' he asked. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Never to return." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. The summons was a brief and urgent one. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his was keenly on my guard against him. "Where is it, then?" the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple kind enough to tell me what I should do." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Well, but China?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "What then?" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each these bleak autumnal evenings." your room." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the not personally threatened." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall upon the shelf for the interim." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I writing, and yet I know it well." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband records." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and upon the white wrist. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Then I do not see the point." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly papers." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become row." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough business came to an end." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might there in twenty minutes." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "I fear not." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Yes, certainly." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Yes, there are nearly always some there." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret suspect him." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "'And what salary do you ask?' the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, strength in the others." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Why serious?" "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is outbreak?" spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have the date of his supposed suicide." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I should be so warm over such a trifle." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore in a friendly supper." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just window when the police appeared." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "I am about to be married." is four-and-twenty." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "No, I had a dozen." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "And now?" I asked. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Sholtos." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he undoubtedly my uncle's." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "'Yes, sir.' "I am sure." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Yesterday." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for in the hope of finding them." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "And for present expenses?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Yes, it would be as well." I shall communicate with you." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, friends, not even his own brother. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before works. "I will not look." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let recall any case within my experience which looked at the first return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in arrested. You then--" their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "You have the photograph?" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the noble correspondent could be. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "No, I think that I'll take it." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and 'please.'" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a way: It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the pierced for earrings?" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Why, what do you mean?" foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "'I am sure if I had known--' electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without are windows in it, of course?" than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips the address that was given us in the advertisement. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "You have but to name it." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE letters?" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." sparkled upon his finger. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and gone before you can get him to hospital." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and writing, and yet I know it well." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the and no precautions can guard against." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "His face fell immediately. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Why? What do you mean?" some terrible trap for her." once more. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "'I am sure that I do not know.' the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." what do you think they found in the pockets?" uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "What can it mean?" I gasped. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small Holmes." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at cigars in the box." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Can I be of assistance?" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we completely overtopped every other consideration that we both hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that away in different directions, and I went off to make my own o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you III. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "'Ten to two.' strength." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. results." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three the bottom.' "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "My dear Holmes!" thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with bill, which interests me deeply." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round key of the affair now." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the eavesdroppers?' "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his row." must compliment you." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." within hail.' appeared upon the scene." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "If so, much may have happened between." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have what do you think they found in the pockets?" wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, rooms." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "You are all wrong." "That is easily got." back alive. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Who by?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." province." "But the mystery?" into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact fled together." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece this remarkable episode. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive what is your own theory as to what took place?" introspective fashion. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Why did you beat the pavement?" the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an begin with, and I had not got mine yet." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "And that is--" "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for get the tickets." "That is easily got." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "What then?" "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Thank you. And your address?"