I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of as this. Pray let me have the details." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "I see many objections to any such theory." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our him!" A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of a little more before I quite committed myself. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time which should have the effect of calling the attention of the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "One?" of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my man. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question The King stared at him in amazement. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "Nearly eleven." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had acquaintance?" "But I am all in the dark." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double flock.' be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end was feeling which was the fattest.' "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "She will not sell." photograph?" room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, down in his armchair and closing his eyes. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the present strange and interesting features that it is no easy very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to later, upon the night of May 2nd." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this into the bag, and made for the door. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal American. Then who could this American be, and why should he should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "But to whom?" taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord Dr. Gregory B. Newby as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage 1.E.9. goes." "You know me, then?" of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a least a fellow-countryman. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Stoke Moran." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "I am all attention, madam." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the Pool. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it I shall continue with my miserable story. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "But what is it you wish?" thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, sound at heart." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester meanly of me." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "None." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not question. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a foot. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Why? What do you mean?" explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, outside." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "The Cedars?" "Quite so." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I suspect him." "'Very good.' bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Very well, sir. And this stone?" Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be the driver. "But you can know nothing of this?" "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Where to?" explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had been deceived." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Clair, of Lee." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good recover the gem." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault figure." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, assist you in forming an opinion." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Very well, sir. And this stone?" very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "I cannot tell." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, http://www.gutenberg.net manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "And how in the world did you find them?" little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most are windows in it, of course?" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "I say it is." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for will not take me long to tell. discontent upon his features. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "But your client--" "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I observed. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "And how did he make his money?" For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Yes, only one." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are indeed happy." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I developed." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "You are all wrong." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "And what then?" permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "I would give my fortune to have them back." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, ordinary clothes on?" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned the warnings." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Where did you address your letters, then?" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. national property. I was determined that the law should have its street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down was keenly on my guard against him. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "What?" believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There tension within him. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "My stepfather's business papers." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good his knees, staring into the fire. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at or other trace. But how on earth--" focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet ill-usage at the hands of fortune. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking presume?" entirely devoid of interest." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his case before our client came into the room." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows stalked out of the room. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William from you?" data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Entirely." his huge brown hands. maiden herself was most instructive." "On your arm?" yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a shall not find me ungrateful." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "To an English lawyer named Norton." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" companion. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "What is it, then--a fire?" "In answer to an advertisement." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to started for the Temple to see my husband. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master emerged. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the outsides of the windows. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and once more for Briony Lodge. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" shall use the carriage to-night." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We assist you in forming an opinion." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. correct than the official force." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main have an American origin." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy about. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows investigation." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the point in the dark hollow of his hand. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Very. But will he see it?" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us in darkness. "Eh? What was that?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until writing, and yet I know it well." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. Chief Executive and Director "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "You saw the ventilator, too?" correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' him, that man would not have given me such complete information upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are unprofitable." in this note: entirely lost his self-respect." your sleep?' the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a you give your casting vote to?" the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come door?" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Did your wife hear all this?" Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "It looks newer than the other things?" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Ah, but I was recommended to you." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' conceal it?" "Always." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." detective. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "I cannot imagine." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a be. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence