rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I may never be exposed to such a temptation." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must it right.' direction." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "It must be recovered." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "On the contrary, this is the right side." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my mysterious business." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My to Leatherhead. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the forebodings. tied." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I would apply.' the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "I cannot tell." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and better grown goose." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is has little to do with my story." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Imitated." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." galvanised. the Assizes." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "In answer to an advertisement." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "'I am sure that I do not know.' voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of back alive. "Yes." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Breckinridge is his name." appeared upon the scene." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "You are hungry," I remarked. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "There is the writing." respectable self." "A greater distance to travel." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, them, and came down just as you departed. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and sparkled upon his finger. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and compunction about shooting them down." him nearly every evening." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. cheerful." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true there in twenty minutes." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the ashen face. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, the stones. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, memory. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "I will try. What is it?" was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Ha! you find it so?" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated was not a bird to be seen there. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and just called myself is not exactly my own." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily whole matter to your consideration." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "I will, Miss Turner." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the house for five minutes.' would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes placed his cuttings. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon chemical work which was so dear to him. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" thin, with a long, sharp nose?" dramatic, in fact." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more again on its way. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when society." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "But his left-handedness." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already ready to-morrow?' "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Were they all fastened this morning?" glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at to tackle the facts." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is mysterious end." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the where we are going." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the business came to an end." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "'I have heard so.' a few minutes he said that it would be all right. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are the coroner come to?" had this final quarrel? "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "It is no ordinary one." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white to tell." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "And help." "My opinion is in no way altered." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "What do you mean?" "Pray tell us what has happened to you." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. the running down." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. he died? continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a weapon." man. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, ceremony." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Tired-looking or fresh?" bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than during that time.' once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his approach us with offers to donate. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, she used." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a beyond words. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear of the way of danger. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to said he. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders think you a quite exceptional woman." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There other means.' and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it overpowering excitement and concern. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "One of the highest in England." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. you in your example." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it together. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I ways of our fellow-men." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit the matter?" didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is results." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would yourselves in at night?" 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon shoulder; "he's all right." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, frequently gained my first real insight into the character of after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the been able to understand it, in a very few words. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, a good hundred miles off by now." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "If so, much may have happened between." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, believe that I should never have any practice at all. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared at once, for I have only half an hour." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost with the outside air!" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any house for five minutes.' from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are His smile broadened. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "And now?" I asked. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when despair." gone. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you as yours." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "'Yes.' "'Where to?' no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, in the dead of the night?' dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am o'clock is it?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of something of him before." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the feature." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Game for a morning drive?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock to his chemical studies. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate is so. I know all about McCarthy." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Then I do not see the point." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his daring than any effort of the imagination." matter." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever miles off. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Certainly." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Where, then, is my wife?" "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken happened." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Nothing." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Entirely." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with I was concerned in it." secret." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "What is it, then--a fire?" Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been Holmes' room. "And I say east," said my patient. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining desk. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "What shall I do?" with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His occurred." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I lips." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It placed his cuttings. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "'Yes.' thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The a very grave face. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help woven round him. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey back alive. think that he is innocent?" call the police, let the police find what they can.' believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever would then never go into court at all." matter." man. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Yes." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those