"Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "And why?" outbreak?" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Not social, then?" "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "It is very kind of you." place no limit on the sum I may draw." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was Edgeware Road. "None." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis brandy and water within his reach. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "You have carte blanche." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. and all of them with the keenest interest. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect the address that was given us in the advertisement. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly sofa. This way, please!" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had forbidden door. will he say when he returns?" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's placed his cuttings. been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any said Mr. Holder. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "But how did you gain them?" the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the at my own good fortune. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. and looked back. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight detective. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was thin, with a long, sharp nose?" something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "How are you getting on?" call the police, let the police find what they can.' little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, do.' heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Yes, certainly." allusion to a rat. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he this man was intellectual?" within hail.' possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he to a light-house. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk certainly not very gracious." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. himself to tell his story. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search the ceiling. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Quite so." "And your father? Did you tell him?" and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I before the coroner and the police-court." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents populous neighbourhood." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If rooms." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment enough to aid us in our search." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set I nodded again. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which fluttered off among the others. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "'About the same.' despaired of." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, retorted upon me, and I on you." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been which should have the effect of calling the attention of the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers questionable one." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and may never be exposed to such a temptation." of Mr. Rucastle's." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped woven round him. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are shall not find me ungrateful." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may to surprise her." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than o'clock is it?" "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," sufficient punishment." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, disappearance of these gems?" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Just look it up, then." tell him that I know him to be innocent." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" compunction about shooting them down." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's you, my dear young lady?' great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place begun to whiten, even as mine has." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "But what will you do?" my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" be there in time for your coming." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but front of me. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." easy-going way." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "And what did you see?" garden below. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it prepare for the new role I have to play." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but the inner apartment." his cane at the bell-pull. lips." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its records." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical indeed happy." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "What is it?" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Never." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." your sleep?' his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" leave you to your papers for a little." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "'Yes, it was gone.' "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction for securing the situation." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she into her hand at the door and which lured her within their abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said all that?" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend way: "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that once more to my work. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "And on what day did he meet his death?" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "The vanishing of the lady." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. his cane at the bell-pull. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the few hundred pounds.' "Who was the criminal, then?" painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Not him." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. this man was intellectual?" glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my putting in the horse. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their been able to understand it, in a very few words. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had started for the Temple to see my husband. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his my friend's incisive reasoning. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything Does that suggest anything?" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." fait accompli?" and shall probably return to London by the evening train." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "If I can be of use." brain must have something in it." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same whether it answered to the description of any of their seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "And when will you call?" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, mystery!" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Oh, fresh and glossy." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting have established a very serious case against the son of the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "'Tell me all about it,' said I. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Yes." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a someone who had been in Australia." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "When did it break out?" with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the stalked out of the room. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the hair?' "Very. But will he see it?" and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building garden below. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would of Fenchurch Street." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "I see no marks." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "If I can be of use." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, fear." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to existence." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the tragedy. again, where I was soon asleep. that, and I came down." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Bought." we went to search for him, face downward in a little Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was second." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This that there was nothing in it, after all." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "I say it is." said I. "Certainly, madam." "Come in!" said Holmes. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "What have you done?" asked Holmes. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination rooms." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a companion. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "What can it mean?" I gasped. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "No?" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "And you can do nothing until then?" bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. papers on the sundial.'" smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "My own seal." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "And now?" He raised his hand. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll works. See paragraph 1.E below. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence The King stared at him in amazement. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower forebodings. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Farm upon the left." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "She walked into the breakfast-room." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had writer." the salesman. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "'Where could I find him?' to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his