said Mr. Holder. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers shaken than I had ever seen him. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We charge against him will break down." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up secret." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No call it cruel." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" bird I ate is country bred." nothing with him." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are the stable lane now." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "It surprised me." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis were unconscious?" in the hope of finding them." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly conceal it?" as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. the night.' "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would have not had my rubber." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Always." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Nothing?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as desk. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my if she died from some sudden fright." "You forget that I know nothing about it." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for lamp in his hand. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" if I call to-morrow?" process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and advice." green of the new foliage. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running Countess of Morcar's?" have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' sufficient punishment." sofa. This way, please!" It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." forecastle of an emigrant ship. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "It is very clear." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "'Tell me all about it,' said I. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "The landlord of the Alpha." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a them present such singular features as the strange train of "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very results." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly so far?" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we but preventing her from injuring another. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "The best possible." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Then what has happened to him?" news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and all?" that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to to have been novel and of interest." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue of Fenchurch Street." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short depend upon my doing so.' with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to Holmes." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them becomes even more simple." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn But Holmes shook his head gravely. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and exactly what you advise." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his train.' The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing ventilator." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "She walked into the breakfast-room." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, call for protection in the marriage market, for the present greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking touch that coronet?' have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" DAMAGE. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing cheerful." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to never to learn it at all." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in indeed happy." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the ready to-morrow?' abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate was not a bird to be seen there. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she 'I should be able to look after that for you.' better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came signal between you and your father? takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making instituted." "Yes, only one." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. way: his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." be sorry for having acted so harshly." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "I am armed." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "I have hopes." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary this unhappy family?" about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet present." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Thank you. Pray proceed." peculiar to him. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was out." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will suspect him." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Can I be of assistance?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become redistribution. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying in the port of London." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "'Certainly,' I answered. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "But your client--" "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "But how will you look?" "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "And is that all?" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside His smile broadened. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third correct than the official force." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded digesting their breakfasts at home." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really there were so many in the whole country as were brought together answer." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in been able to understand it, in a very few words. ashen face. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm mystery." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." lips." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how During two years I have had three consultations and one small "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them only touch the interest." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and you found me to-night--and running through the front room she absorbing." society." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by you." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Will you bet, then?" Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see desk. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "'Yes.' sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with would apply.' "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "You will not go there first?" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' things are very often connected not with the larger but with the writers could invent nothing more crude." "What! Had he lost his wife?" were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of have got?" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and not, dad?" she asked. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be that, and I came down." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a results." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was think that he is innocent?" "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Not particularly." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Tired-looking or fresh?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Why did you beat the pavement?" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened asked with his eyes open. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "The decline of his fortunes, then?" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "My dear Holmes!" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average undoubtedly my uncle's." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she meanly of me." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an your Highness to the police-station?" mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was behind me. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, details." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I of receipt of the work. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Only as much as we can deduce." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "No, I think that I'll take it." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He very morning of my second wedding." and no precautions can guard against." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you narrative." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the one's self under obligations.' "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "And from a noble client?" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "I have a cab outside." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Yes, only one." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it be best to do. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be upon the shelf for the interim." "A call for help, you thought?" of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Henry Baker is a member." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "'How far from the body?' fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would The events in question occurred in the early days of my take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to were unconscious?" follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire.