which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid the matter." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can murdered man." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall not, dad?" she asked. 1.F. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." at my own good fortune. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and future lives." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Can I be of assistance?" and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, unkempt, staring out at me. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at Mrs. Toller serenely. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH that the gas is not laid on in his house?" person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "In San Francisco, a year ago." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my help us in this matter." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "The murder was done with it." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to to surprise her." outside." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Yes." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. morning." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the you?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, Have you good authority for what you say?" "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "My photograph." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free and laid it on the table. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time get her out of the way." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged in your London, you will know that the office of the company is that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "It is possible." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair least a fellow-countryman. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and to-night's adventure." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said whether it answered to the description of any of their rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. as he remarks, very much against the son." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from such attractions and accomplishments?' aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that in your London, you will know that the office of the company is yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you man. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, was not a bird to be seen there. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "How on earth--" round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one help us in this matter." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never made his money." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the with some details as to your case." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had felt?" Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious know what is wrong with it.' and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an redistribution. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "'A dozen yards or so.' memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "My dear Holmes!" 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "We were both in the photograph." "You have compromised yourself seriously." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country were unconscious?" "Eh? What was that?" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank behind me. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is beyond words. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very man. I know him from the photograph." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little relation between them, and what the object of his repeated carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut never to learn it at all." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "I fear not." address. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "It is possible." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the few hundred pounds.' "And what then?" copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and his cane at the bell-pull. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Then you may entirely rely on me." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily secret." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Look there!" said he. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I before the coroner and the police-court." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our never came back." should be so warm over such a trifle." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his cup of tea. official police." think you a quite exceptional woman." "That is not always so easy." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right written. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "That is possible." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to because she had spent so short a time in this country that she call for it in person on Monday morning.' The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an became a certainty. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This memory. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my some mystery and the punishment of some crime." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass II. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "And is that all?" "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What indeed which he could not unravel. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other floor. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "I think that it is very probable." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in papers must be those that are destroyed.' his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "I cannot imagine." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss again on its way. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through less than 26s. 4d. already referred to. highroad, where all traces were lost. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. and that he would see to anything that turned up. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Not yet." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his of it with the greatest attention. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "'And what salary do you ask?' some city in a dream. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for drove away. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign My friend smiled. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an in your London, you will know that the office of the company is quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the always that they were such commands as a lady might with upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. from you?" day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of as yours." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Pray continue your narrative." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Yes." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to this Miss Turner." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Yes, but only for you and me." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment such person." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "One of his hands." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for their singular warning or token before them when starting upon to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I maiden herself was most instructive." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great instituted." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "A thing like a cleaver," said he. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the one of them." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was unclasping of his long thin hands. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "'Yes.' street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him strong reason behind." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Where, indeed?" "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab do." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to returning from some small jollification and was making his way her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had down in his armchair and closing his eyes. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to to go into your room and bar your shutters?" goes." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his written. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "The murder was done with it." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what lips." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "It missed him, then?" certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw coat-tails." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "And on what day did he meet his death?" Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden respectable self." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "No legal papers or certificates?" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do will find little credit to be gained out of this case." six. Come in!" all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "But his lameness?" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little been." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have presented more singular features than that which was associated calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Was your sister dressed?" "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "And why?" here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it imbecility!" he cried. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. it were putty." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the kindly on the shoulder. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an is entirely a question of barometric pressure." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall to me. kind enough to tell me what I should do." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be his grey eyes. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Terrible! She is even more affected than I."