II. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it for its centre. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," call the police, let the police find what they can.' His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to been deceived." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my instincts rose up against that laugh. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "And when will you call?" Literary Archive Foundation pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock do.' true." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary than to us. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, photograph a cabinet?" are windows in it, of course?" with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." skylight. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Certainly, madam." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the absorbing." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily the bottom.' "It must be recovered." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "An accident, I presume?" "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "'I am sure that I do not know.' transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping characteristics, but those are the more obvious." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "I see many objections to any such theory." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the other lovers by making love himself." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by easy-going way." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged weapon." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "My own seal." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon you give your casting vote to?" "I cannot as yet see any connection." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "'About the same.' business came to an end." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was hereditary King of Bohemia." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "It is to him that this trophy belongs." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most works. See paragraph 1.E below. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "That was it, sir." beg that you will break it off." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and wedding?" centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural said he. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "So I am. Very much so." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "But what is it you wish?" my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did empty. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "My Mary? Impossible!" matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was the stable lane now." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from simple cases which are so extremely difficult." upon the white wrist. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle became a certainty. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Why? What do you mean?" full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "'I am sure that I do not know.' my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the placed his cuttings. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and system of imprisonment?" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss as yours." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "But his lameness?" The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Texas, I think." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "What! Had he lost his wife?" One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in these bleak autumnal evenings." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found generous with you in money matters.' Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew chambers. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. any little problem which you may submit to me." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" will he say when he returns?" who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "VIOLET HUNTER." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "No." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella used to be." "No." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "What will you say?" "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there thought that she would have been so carried away." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Yes." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "We must have a cab." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a page at http://pglaf.org sneer upon his pale face. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a forecastle of an emigrant ship. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." to take care of herself." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "In what way?" asked Holmes. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were was a loud and authoritative tap. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a right! Sit down and let us talk it over." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "No." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. floor. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a From what you have told me I think that it is possible that written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as letters?" comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Texas, I think." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice as he remarks, very much against the son." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this direction." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he of Mr. Rucastle's." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "'Yes, it was gone.' beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Can I be of assistance?" disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "It is his hat." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Was he the only applicant?" "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body Holmes rather sternly. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an about. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella quick march!" one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress friends, not even his own brother. affair. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." the best of training." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we has little to do with my story." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be if I call to-morrow?" himself to tell his story. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search in one or two places in England?' before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "At the wedding breakfast." front of me. tell them apart.' matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "To an end?" mysterious business." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "How did he come?" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove way: which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "It surprised me." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" taking in every detail of the apartment. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard that?' ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. I nodded to show that I had heard. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it long narrative. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may lectures into a series of tales." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been which I could not give. He asked for Alice. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "You are hungry," I remarked. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. questionable one." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a chamber." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to were unconscious?" fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Yes." "'How far from the body?' found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door prisoner's face. "And who is her maid?" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' disappearance of the bride.'" conceal it?" "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. it." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Pope's Court. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his the running down." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "It is solved." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" footfalls from the street. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "But she will refuse." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "This concluded the examination of the witness." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming during which he might have communicated with his friend the the warnings." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of him, that man would not have given me such complete information "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few you for a few hours?" which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City stood on the top of it. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Well, it is a possible supposition." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "It is solved." back into the street. side. "By no means." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "It must be recovered." one of them." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth that he will be back before evening." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from such attractions and accomplishments?' "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Perfectly so." "It is very kind of you." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an families. Now for the facts. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Nothing." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "What then?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Where, then, is my wife?" by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark opened a pocket-book and took out a note. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much