We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the the nursery. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over to some other building. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason the little opening for the ventilator is." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the in my life." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. as the one I chose?' my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Yes." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Who was the criminal, then?" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were outsides of the windows. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a telegram would bring me down to your help." digesting their breakfasts at home." too. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "'Is 4 pounds a week.' decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I closely." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Nothing." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "What then?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Stolen." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Chief Executive and Director acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "No, but the enclosure is." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little once more to my work. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a later, upon the night of May 2nd." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great an introduction to him?" We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed look upon these things in a different way." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as been able to understand it, in a very few words. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was compunction about shooting them down." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "I answered that I had not. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for his knees, staring into the fire. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "And from a noble client?" photograph?" and the whole place is in a blaze." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Precisely." eat it." there when the Rucastles went away." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a said Mr. Holder. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord gbnewby@pglaf.org that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." families. Now for the facts. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. awkward doing business with an alias." business came to an end." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "What, then?" unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Won't it ring?" said Mr. Holder. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Nothing." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet Sutherland. stood on the top of it. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "No, I had a dozen." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see secret." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most south, for the country is more deserted there." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at train.' may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were window when the police appeared." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is had a long day." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the papers must be those that are destroyed.' clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down chill to my heart. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite The note was undated, and without either signature or address. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. them, and came down just as you departed. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, nonsense.' revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Where to?" assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for have one." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Could he throw no light?" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. better grown goose." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret hurried away. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "'I have heard so.' "An accident, I presume?" "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "You have the photograph?" which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two appeared upon the scene." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "I have a cab outside." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I face and glided from the room. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home seen the man in the road." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to learned something! Where are the gems?" diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case Surrey." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his several quiet little villages up there." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "How did you deduce the select?" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Could he throw no light?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "No good news?" "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said man. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "'Yes, I promise.' "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the newspaper selections." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "There are none." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her later, upon the night of May 2nd." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Cross for the Continent." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how true." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." forecastle of an emigrant ship. his forehead." hereditary King of Bohemia." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "It certainly sounds feasible." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off head. So long, then!" "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." flock.' have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my swore that no one else had been in the front room during the him and tried to hold him back. "'A dozen yards or so.' son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "I came to find a friend." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than the salesman. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Not I." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "It is very kind of you." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I might help us?" dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." call it cruel." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Eh? What was that?" will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt in one or two places in England?' "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up I shall continue with my miserable story. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one thirty. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. get the tickets." "'What, the red-headed man?' "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then him." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. was keenly on my guard against him. coat-tails." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "And that is--" manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Yes, from Horsham." his huge brown hands. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Stoke Moran?" said he. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "And I to find an enemy." "The knees of his trousers." any." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "That sounds a little paradoxical." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. strength in the others." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late unprofitable." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to are, and they are waiting for us." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "'What then?' I asked. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed bird of prey. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass his cane at the bell-pull. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, amused." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Murdered?" know that the truth is known." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the most interesting one." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "At what time?" residence of the great financier. "'Ample.' engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, purpose equally well?" feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do nothing of it?" silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the fuss that is made over them." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" for and were ordered to this address. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary