one which it was hard to resist. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "The best possible." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious go from here to the Strand." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to electronic works Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Nothing." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "I am in hopes that she does." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "It must be recovered." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "I will, Miss Turner." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "It was an hour's good drive." invisible to me," I remarked. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Dirty?" that you saw all that I did." tail." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you spark where all is dark to me." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, in his power. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that becomes even more simple." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "None. Neville wrote those words." upon a handsome competence. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in floor. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which too. "That is it on the dressing-table." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Nothing." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the look upon these things in a different way." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the new acquaintance to Baker Street. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All what is your own theory as to what took place?" voice. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door forbidden door. "Oh, fresh and glossy." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Indeed! Whose, then?" I approached. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present he. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true to-night?' could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, not fit the lock." case before our client came into the room." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." as noiselessly as she had come. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which if only as a check to my own memory." assist you in forming an opinion." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always any." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a you." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "But you can know nothing of this?" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we giving me time to thank him. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the photograph a cabinet?" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Yes." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce until night should bring an explanation. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Well?" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "No. His orders were to stay in the house." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "What can it mean?" I gasped. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and there is a decided draught." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Nothing." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Precisely so. But how--" fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. shoulder. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. allusion to a rat. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she too. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its door?" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of problems help me to do so." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking see me here to avoid scandal." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. both be extremely obliged.' have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I night.' said he. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "'I am sure that I do not know.' right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, may have an influence upon European history." before the coroner and the police-court." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "They are typewritten," I remarked. business in the City. She little knew what. "What! Had he lost his wife?" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at you do it in twenty minutes!' hands. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the salesman. three fields round his house, and there he would take his Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress me. You must get home instantly and act." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to strong and stiff." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the words came to my lips. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would quickly through a disagreeable task. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." fattened it expressly for you.' therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both ourselves in the office." went to the Alpha were town bred." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I dramatic, in fact." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no things are very often connected not with the larger but with the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "I cannot think." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took was keenly on my guard against him. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Then, as to money?" across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "And what did you learn from him?" had picked up in the wood. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "What can you not understand?" "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly what is your own theory as to what took place?" too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "'Ample.' above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" heavy and sharp instrument." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." jewels which you have stolen?' purpose of examination. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. the matter." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Pray be precise as to details," said he. lumber-room." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had dramatic, in fact." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. way: though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all cigar and let me expound." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. eavesdroppers?' "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention matter over." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my rooms." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage spark where all is dark to me." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and know all about it," he snarled. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be to you." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet used to be." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Dirty?" particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we one's self under obligations.' "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and emerged. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately of your young ladies.' listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "'And what are they worth?' I asked. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Not in the least." back alive. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." carriage. It was a chestnut." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham future lives." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an least a fellow-countryman. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. criminal. We have already had experience of such." have I gained?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "That you are never beaten." was a lad." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled This is what he says: man. I know him from the photograph." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "This photograph!" no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me will take you up to see the machine.' floor. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our but preventing her from injuring another. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. awkward doing business with an alias." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "But what harm can there be in that?" "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger relation between them, and what the object of his repeated the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, remarked. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Holmes' face clouded over. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he ago." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the information in his hands the value of which he did not himself open." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great nonsense.' the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "A client, then?" For additional contact information: 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the third from London." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I overpowering excitement and concern. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was was a loud and authoritative tap. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I morning." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. sparkled upon his finger. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for records." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The 1.E.9. "Was your sister dressed?" "It is possible." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was of your young ladies.' "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but eavesdroppers?' "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven undoubtedly my uncle's." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." of Fenchurch Street." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Dr. Becher's." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, congratulate you again." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden highly," said Holmes. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the