because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Not particularly." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." works. See paragraph 1.E below. away to you." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the allusion to a rat. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your lost his Christmas dinner." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, any more." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not putting in the horse. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "That is possible." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he go back?" said he, "my real name is James Ryder." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen very morning of my second wedding." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us name is different." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" for and were ordered to this address. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, and I shall be with you presently." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of key turn in the lock." "Imitated." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he the bottom.' 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "That is not always so easy." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Proceed, then." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to room?" he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "What is it, then--a fire?" but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony whereabouts. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Really! You surprise me." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, lost his Christmas dinner." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her to a more successful conclusion." "She showed me, as I told you she would." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. despair." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry and I shall be with you presently." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just the ceiling. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big always that they were such commands as a lady might with into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Mrs. Toller serenely. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with think you a quite exceptional woman." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." it. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Absolutely none." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Pray be precise as to details," said he. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "It is half-past ten now." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great read over the extraordinary announcement. States. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me rooms." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Yes." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than reach." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for danger is over." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. away to you." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you on in his house." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my daring than any effort of the imagination." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently The summons was a brief and urgent one. "But his lameness?" business came to an end." hardly wander." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. Stoke Moran." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London night.' said he. to that open window." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Nothing." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE one of the states of the Union." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the telegram would bring me down to your help." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United place of silver." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, there in twenty minutes." that you wished to speak to me?' bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the of his shoulders. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" your troubles." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I do you make of it all?" yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the hurried by. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew ordinary clothes on?" "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Oh, yes, easily." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, been able to understand it, in a very few words. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not Clair, of Lee." "And how did you find out?" to take care of herself." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing there is a decided draught." "Well?" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search to surprise her." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because it means?" fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a and capable of preserving a secret.' experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea of fine shops and stately business premises that they really sofa. This way, please!" the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "'You doubt its value?' he asked. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "'I am sure that I do not know.' be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would seven miles from Eyford Station.' see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than hand, madam?" pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional intimate personal affairs in this public manner." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between depend upon my doing so.' "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is without success. At last the little money which I had saved began front of the hall door has given its name to the place. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate neither fascinating nor artistic." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." ago." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "But how could you guess what the motive was?" written, and locked the door of the office after me. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "No." placed his cuttings. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." over with notes and figures. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you in this note: chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "But how will you look?" chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a hopeless attempt at recovering them." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been digesting their breakfasts at home." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "But how could you guess what the motive was?" Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Eh? What was that?" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the read over the extraordinary announcement. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." himself to tell his story. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a the room while you explain this matter?" process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, with you?" time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was questioning and rather startled gaze. Gutenberg-tm License. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and bedroom door." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Ah!" be there in time for your coming." tightly behind him. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "But how?" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "'I have already given you my word.' upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect compunction about shooting them down." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, mysterious business." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "That sounds a little paradoxical." and the colonel ushered me in. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had me. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man I. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut business in the City. She little knew what. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as to affect your life." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Was there a secret marriage?" hair?' re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods secret." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Was he the only applicant?" what I may call a really hard day's work." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they me what he had done with the three missing stones. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "You will not go there first?" scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for second." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case matter." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "When did it break out?" As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Who was the criminal, then?" and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "What can it mean?" I gasped. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he the stable lane now." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and name is different." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind the coroner come to?" and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Then he might have called to you?" of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "I beg pardon." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity could not account in any way for the presence of the missing will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." an introduction to him?" should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow placed his cuttings. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to my special province." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. infinite languor in his face. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San of your young ladies.' pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "So it appears." points to suicide?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "I think that it is very probable." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found for and were ordered to this address. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made becomes even more simple." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?"