floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve the one as in the other." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family look dissatisfied." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Yesterday." as noiselessly as she had come. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "I do." instincts rose up against that laugh. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "What, then, did Peterson do?" at my own good fortune. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the good-night and bustled off upon her way. "No." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Come in!" said he. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," and no precautions can guard against." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words these bleak autumnal evenings." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, mysterious business." against a man in the prime of life?" it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "And you can do nothing until then?" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, and your relations to her." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from everything which you would wish to know." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" the coronet at all injured?" success. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her test if we have an answer to our advertisement." upon the shelf for the interim." leave you to your papers for a little." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now opportunities to fix the problem. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying to-night's adventure." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still with frightened eyes at his accuser. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "What, then, did Peterson do?" be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." Holmes rather sternly. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they details should find their way into the papers. Inspector strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and way in." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit plantation.' "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" memory. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Pray do so." to have that photograph." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Perfectly so." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America next day. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one Mary, has deserted me." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to business came to an end." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been matter." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and details." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and burst into a hearty fit of laughter. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind my room." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black night.' said he. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. present." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by wedding?" was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "I am all attention, madam." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are lamp. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the will be renamed. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "ARAT," I read. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I see a sister of mine apply for." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Yes." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "What can it mean?" I gasped. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "I think that I had better go, Holmes." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Oh, yes, easily." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I this unhappy family?" "It is possible." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully grasp, he hurried from the room. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "No, my brougham is waiting." footfalls from the street. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must feature." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "She told me to ask you." key of the affair now." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an your equipment. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may lids now and glanced across at his visitor. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "I never have." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two companion imperturbably. were unconscious?" British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose of it with the greatest attention. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram present." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources speckled band?" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or During two years I have had three consultations and one small "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no name is different." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what there is a decided draught." visitors." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the within hail.' copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. second." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him examination of the premises, but without finding anything which round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. works. See paragraph 1.E below. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Could he throw no light?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend to go into your room and bar your shutters?" brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project of." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly mystery may be cleared along those lines." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the keep the flames under. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case examine." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin case-book, which he consulted. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon presented which may be striking and bizarre without being photograph a cabinet?" "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "'It is locked up,' I answered. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite and shall probably return to London by the evening train." to-night." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a words came to my lips. amused." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." matter over." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and My friend smiled. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can His name is Francis Prosper." undoubtedly my uncle's." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" not within a twentieth part of the market price." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which John Swain, of St. Augustine. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." fear." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull introspective fashion. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have said Mr. Holder. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "He is still with you, I presume?" over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I into the room. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." chance at all." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the second window is the one that I jumped from." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "By no means." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of things are very often connected not with the larger but with the would then never go into court at all." three fields round his house, and there he would take his where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Doctor, of the paper and the date." "How about poison?" these bleak autumnal evenings." "Will you bet, then?" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which conceal it?" pound a week." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and other lovers by making love himself." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her have accepted such a situation. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled acted in my house last night?" upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "How did that help you?" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled one of them." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, she used." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." noting anything else of interest. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "No, I think that I'll take it." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on other, as fresh and trim as possible. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them you?" back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "The landlord of the Alpha." Literary Archive Foundation "'Certainly not. But why?' demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "I have seen the police." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "I have my revolver," said I. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "My dear Holmes!" at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I delirious. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a a very grave face. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "VIOLET HUNTER." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is