mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Ah, but I was recommended to you." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father Holmes' thin, eager face. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for to take care of herself." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the overpowering excitement and concern. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a that the gas is not laid on in his house?" Serpentine Avenue. "Yes, but only for you and me." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Then I do not see the point." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door sneer upon his pale face. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She village inn over there?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such taking in every detail of the apartment. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage as this. Pray let me have the details." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "But his lameness?" occurred." his eyes and forehead. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am the very morning of the wedding." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in vanished into the darkness. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "But what harm can there be in that?" most important business. It is probable that he will be away all Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I it." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "On Monday." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Then what has happened to him?" my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that clanging. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the some terrible trap for her." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always future lives." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and one of them." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Precisely so. But how--" comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her or in danger--" his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and exactly what you advise." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "No sign of it?" is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has gone before you can get him to hospital." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "I don't say that. Perhaps." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" question. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not even of instruction." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR carried out of court." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the future lives." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without a little more before I quite committed myself. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the guilty parties." strength." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during business came to an end." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw sparkled upon his finger. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Certainly, madam." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Nearly eleven." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "And who is her maid?" abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the present." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "At half-wages, in fact." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "That is unusual in a young girl." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each even so self-evident a thing as that." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" orange pips. families. Now for the facts. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the families. Now for the facts. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after any little problem which you may submit to me." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There the so-precious time, but come!' "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I Lestrade of Scotland Yard." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out kind enough to tell me what I should do." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." cheerful." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not what is your own theory as to what took place?" of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, fuss that is made over them." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "I cannot as yet see any connection." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "I know where it is." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion go from here to the Strand." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge will he say when he returns?" page at http://pglaf.org of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Nearly eleven." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and recall any case within my experience which looked at the first your bag." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; waste of energy." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the cigars in the box." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "In answer to an advertisement." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, next day. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. address. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I good for you to do.' the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The least a most suspicious remark." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice and it need not interfere very much with one's other village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that maiden herself was most instructive." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "One horse?" interjected Holmes. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King mystery may be cleared along those lines." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he written. "And sit in the dark?" "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem comes from the middle window." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. weighed down with some great anxiety. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the always that they were such commands as a lady might with surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." became a certainty. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, guilty one." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in events, Mr. Windibank!" "She will not sell." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Was your sister dressed?" used to be." been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an outside." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "'Most admirably.' paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from head. So long, then!" Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "My opinion is in no way altered." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it outside. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The better in every way that they should make their position a little "My photograph." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A again on its way. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, in. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." or in danger--" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "How on earth--" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The Farm upon the left." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one yards of it?' air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "That is it on the dressing-table." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one the Assizes." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "It was." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened carriage. It was a chestnut." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Perhaps I have." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Your French gold?" "My dear Holmes!" glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was directors have had misgivings upon the subject." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's retorted upon me, and I on you." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Well?" down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second strength in the others." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "What then?" lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. him to go away.' The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Yes, sir." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "What have you to say now?" glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate call for it in person on Monday morning.' advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Because he was handy and would come cheap." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" daring than any effort of the imagination." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "You did not overhear what they said?" "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down so far?" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "It was a confession," I ejaculated. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously Holmes' thin, eager face. shall use the carriage to-night." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered out of this horrible affair." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "On the contrary, this is the right side." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "I have hopes." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "'Yes, sir.' present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat place, I think that there is good ground to think that the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through think that he is innocent?" "I say it is." lips." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Pray let us have it, for all that." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John careless servant girl?" the address that was given us in the advertisement. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which will be renamed. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time it means?" "Yes, sir." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. situation." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by you found me to-night--and running through the front room she you." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and thought that she would have been so carried away." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" developed." which was all perfectly true. "'Ample.' first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning future lives." it right.' "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "You were travelling in the States?" ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his country, and eventually married, without anyone having a Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in front of me. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "'Where could I find him?' wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "'Quite sure, dad.' "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Yes, that is the Crown." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Texas, I think." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one I shall communicate with you." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, sofa. This way, please!" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "You have the photograph?" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these you." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "And I say east," said my patient. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the advice." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination some terrible trap for her." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Always." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To