"'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the companion. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from over part of the map. "What do you read?" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "So it appears." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a flock.' paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I which our visitor detailed to us. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently here and I will read it to you: whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" Sutherland?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle may have an influence upon European history." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must Arthur Conan Doyle read over the extraordinary announcement. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to had formerly been in part my own. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "'About the same.' saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the John Swain, of St. Augustine. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "That you are never beaten." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" followed. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was affection." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such nice household for a young lady." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be he. which our visitor detailed to us. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." where we are going." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with persecution?" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah and effective." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And it means?" explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and that the gas is not laid on in his house?" sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Yes?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Not yet." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father The King stared at him in amazement. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "I was certainly surprised to find you there." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who maiden herself was most instructive." of the one which your family is now devouring." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have have got?" "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too crackling voice. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Precisely." heavy and sharp instrument." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." do." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I strong and stiff." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old words came to my lips. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and of the efforts of the United States government and of the better ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "There is the writing." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be copied or distributed: essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to overpowering excitement and concern. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of at my remark. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' to his chemical studies. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "And Irene Adler?" prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point people don't know." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Why serious?" man. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "I assure you that I am in your hands." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Entirely." against a man in the prime of life?" back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "It must be recovered." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "But to whom?" wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to nothing of it?" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "It is true that I have been generally successful." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Yesterday." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man and the colonel ushered me in. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the of Fenchurch Street." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Yes." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "In which, sir?" on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, have one." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, was keenly on my guard against him. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to think, you have already met." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, answer." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "I saw her in conversation with her maid." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "My stepfather's business papers." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in of the efforts of the United States government and of the better lamp in his hand. sparkled upon his finger. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat case before our client came into the room." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him October 9, 1890. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little way: As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been this Miss Turner." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the companion. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "It is no ordinary one." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would married her." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "It is his hat." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of green of the new foliage. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and unclasping of his long thin hands. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "No?" shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "You are all wrong." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down go--none." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she frequently gained my first real insight into the character of making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Here?" of them has the shutters up.' "It is true that I have been generally successful." "He disappeared so suddenly." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, that I can to serve you." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' of a light. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to horse could go." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot ventilator." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "My own seal." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "That is it on the dressing-table." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as the window, rose as we entered. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg four million human beings all jostling each other within the "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Bought." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that of Mr. Rucastle's." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been most interesting one." derbies." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Because he was handy and would come cheap." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just nonsense.' "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My Project Gutenberg-tm works. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "How did he come?" "Whose house is it?" a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his was a loud and authoritative tap. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their companion. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Where did he live, then?" had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "No, finished." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally went to the Alpha were town bred." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "'And the work?' "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the jewels which you have stolen?' jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly persecution?" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little answered with a sidelong glance. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, companion quietly. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "I think that it is very probable." "Yes, it was twisted." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for copied or distributed: was it brought him the coronet? "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "'What then?' I asked. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he meant it for the best. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." taking in every detail of the apartment. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project about. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. him. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the lost his Christmas dinner." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. thirty. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of tail." friend's singular character. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. behind me. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the again." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of said I. Gutenberg-tm License. one's self under obligations.' "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a think, you have already met." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "No." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco in my life." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "'What, the red-headed man?' "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a them, and came down just as you departed. occurred." corner of the building.