"Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and Gutenberg-tm License. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "It came here." presented more singular features than that which was associated "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord one's self under obligations.' bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found with frightened eyes at his accuser. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" burst out into a roar of laughter. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "I shall be delighted." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe of note-paper. It read in this fashion: silent! Oh, he will be silent!' nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six morning." how narrow had been my escape. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided subject to the trademark license, especially commercial assist you in forming an opinion." "But how?" "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "But we can't all be." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "'Yes, sir.' photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Eyford." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and to a light-house. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. that you can jump it.' triumphant cloud from his cigarette. are windows in it, of course?" some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "On Monday." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Eyford." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the a very grave face. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." not within a twentieth part of the market price." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "By all means." "Her father is very rich?" "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully have accepted such a situation. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very narrative." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the could not account in any way for the presence of the missing lectures into a series of tales." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left have been better. It is all right." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a interest. They are important, you understand, without being story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and said he. not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Then what has happened to him?" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "I have a cab outside." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known directors have had misgivings upon the subject." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings views." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "And for present expenses?" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very relief. what I may call a really hard day's work." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "No legal papers or certificates?" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, experiences." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional had a long day." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. business in the City. She little knew what. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner if I call to-morrow?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building it." my room." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up most interesting one." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was and the whole place is in a blaze." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally name is different." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, grasp, he hurried from the room. key turn in the lock." "Where did he live, then?" gone before you can get him to hospital." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of character. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," he died? "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Precisely." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Not particularly." detective. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," upon the shelf for the interim." "And what did you see?" Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "The rest you will leave in our hands." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Two days later this same performance was gone through under calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 to Leatherhead. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to entirely devoid of interest." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are the general public were present, then?" heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always ready to-morrow?' make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to 'I should be able to look after that for you.' and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me would then never go into court at all." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we that I can to serve you." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a depend upon your compliance." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger the armchair which I pushed forward for him. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took enter into my head. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "But how will you look?" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "No." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "My opinion is in no way altered." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "The knees of his trousers." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so could not have written that. It is the German who is so seem to you to be relevant or not." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Then you may be so with me." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man neither fascinating nor artistic." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the might help us?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, it." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Then, how do you know?" pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "I will, Miss Turner." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to he died? "'What do you call purely nominal?' last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. Holmes' room. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are you, my dear young lady?' "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "It may not come to that," said Holmes. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "What can it mean?" I gasped. second." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to http://www.gutenberg.net relation between them, and what the object of his repeated every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Was your sister dressed?" rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang wanted for ourselves." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, the general public were present, then?" suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "I was afraid that you were engaged." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Breckinridge is his name." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his be.' has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the death." "Seven!" I answered. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still distinguish the words: the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB peculiar to him. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be hour?' our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for shadow pass over his face as I spoke. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did opened the door, and slipped through. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "The doctor?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." politicians who had been sent down from the North. coroner's jury." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty little trying to do so much typewriting?" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, frequently gained my first real insight into the character of perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. character. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless written, and locked the door of the office after me. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. jewels which you have stolen?' arms and began to sob in a high treble key. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "In what way?" asked Holmes. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "No. His orders were to stay in the house." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them reach." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as I shall continue with my miserable story. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "I was mad--insane." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." stood on the top of it. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be with you?" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your about. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, congratulate you again." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. open." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such business in the City. She little knew what. not, dad?" she asked. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "My Mary? Impossible!" "Entirely." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich shoulder. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "The gentleman I describe." "'I am sure that I do not know.' beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his of campaign. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very tell me that you intended to go into harness." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. particular state visit http://pglaf.org "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You