push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I for securing the situation." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! in this note: "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the letters?" along the entire front of the house, with three long windows He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Was she in good spirits?" "I am in hopes that she does." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the eat it." help us in this matter." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are crime." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was better grown goose." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings you." Eyford at 11:15.' suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others country, and eventually married, without anyone having a purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "No." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to light and attacked it." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Where, indeed?" "'About the same.' nothing with him." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have McCarthy." "In answer to an advertisement." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "In heaven's name, what for?" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor walking." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." man. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through room had already been engaged for us. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Perhaps we may make them less so." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Where did he live, then?" round with crates and massive boxes. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, begun to whiten, even as mine has." Eyford." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Nothing." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend shoulder; "he's all right." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would Street. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense hands. "Could he throw no light?" in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and to Leatherhead. III. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the silent! Oh, he will be silent!' logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "Precisely." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he for the market.' Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet name is different." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "'Where could I find him?' suspect him." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting said he. I took the paper from him and read as follows: or in danger--" devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the paper in the air. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "But we can't all be." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Which surely he restored to their owner?" liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "I am sure." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "He said too much." "I never have." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that even so self-evident a thing as that." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss relief. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social ready to-morrow?' Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge entirely devoid of interest." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not my secret was safe in his possession. to affect your life." "I shall most certainly do so." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "You'll never persuade me to believe that." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their have one." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." distinguish the words: disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "You have a clue?" "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the wedding?" actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, front of me. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I been deceived." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "At half-wages, in fact." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite lamp in his hand. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a answer." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Yes, all." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" and the church but not where the lady lived." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "And I." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "And how did he make his money?" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone of campaign. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "I see no marks." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the woman." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "I don't say that. Perhaps." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Well, it is a possible supposition." that he will be back before evening." people don't know." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Yes." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down with the outside air!" "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" said I. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and man. I know him from the photograph." "We must have a cab." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was the very morning of the wedding." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "The landlord of the Alpha." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low if I call to-morrow?" "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Precisely." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. suddenly upon us." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping get her out of the way." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. them?" Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for that, and I came down." "I was mad--insane." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for had no one to advise her at such a crisis." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he our word." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." forebodings. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the said I. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for into the room. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Who by?" month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. lumber-room." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "I cannot tell." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "'I am sure if I had known--' Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. what is your own theory as to what took place?" present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The correct than the official force." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "The decline of his fortunes, then?" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as characteristics, but those are the more obvious." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "To an end?" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting everything which you would wish to know." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of she slowly sank and died without having recovered her with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Did you observe the colour?" matter." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is IS will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary the very morning of the wedding." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Do you receive much company?" he asked. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Absolutely?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" breakfast and whispered something to her husband. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any believe that I should never have any practice at all. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at since then to throw any light upon what became of him." get her out of the way." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "How about poison?" "She will not sell." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what done what I asked you, Jones?" "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we never came back." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in behind me. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." works. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That kind enough to tell me what I should do." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "You horrify me." spare." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to you?' wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in at my own good fortune. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, what do you think they found in the pockets?" edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Again Holmes raved in the air. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so absorbing." "To an end?" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what http://www.gutenberg.net "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to success. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are away into the river." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had ago." question," said Holmes, smiling. get her out of the way." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "I see many objections to any such theory." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your