"One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from page at http://pglaf.org warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. was feeling which was the fattest.' purpose equally well?" name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one or in danger--" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for mysterious business." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for examination of the premises, but without finding anything which Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, October 9, 1890. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Leave Paddington by the 11:15." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' Stoke Moran." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to The King stared at him in amazement. "Seven!" I answered. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I new duties?' "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. girl said." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "'Ample.' second." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence annoyance, but no jest. and it need not interfere very much with one's other "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Dirty?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Certainly." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Yes." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Will you bet, then?" "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "At the wedding breakfast." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were Street. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Oh, yes, easily." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I these bleak autumnal evenings." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "I have solved it." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns happened." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "'No, I know no one in these parts.' ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "And from a noble client?" crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Holmes. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination over here." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" copied or distributed: "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical the side-table." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the me upon any point which I do not make clear." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "When did it break out?" "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have less than 26s. 4d. Project Gutenberg-tm works. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Not yet." "An enemy?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the will find little credit to be gained out of this case." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. your only hope of safety." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" learned something! Where are the gems?" "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation companion imperturbably. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face writer." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this compunction about shooting them down." "Perhaps we may make them less so." my room." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon whether it answered to the description of any of their "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the the loss of it. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. know what is wrong with it.' sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his the King without delay." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "No legal papers or certificates?" and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." as he folded up the epistle. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Was she in good spirits?" I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the sound at heart." "There are none." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Yes, he did." sneer upon his pale face. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows held up the lantern and gazed about him. wife's character?" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into said he at last. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but in this note: "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his one's self under obligations.' bachelor.' of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "None." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low bore every mark of being an average commonplace British absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the was keenly on my guard against him. sufficient punishment." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am empty. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do himself to tell his story. lumber-room." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, your bag." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be writers could invent nothing more crude." fatally injured? were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life is four-and-twenty." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He in a very precise fashion." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Well." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's them?" puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, nights." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the particular state visit http://pglaf.org table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical when you have done it." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Do you know him?" matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Where, then, is my wife?" ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS for the market.' wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every residence of the great financier. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "'And the work?' opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little these bleak autumnal evenings." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "What I expected to see." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two business." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready less than 26s. 4d. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the redistribution. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Then you may be so with me." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between it." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to redistribution. chance at all." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Nothing?" education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the that before taking the final step I should like to submit the have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of been able to understand it, in a very few words. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client bell. Holmes whistled. sofa. This way, please!" "Not in the least." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who I held the little printed slip to the light. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you I leave." less than 26s. 4d. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the tightly behind him. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I matter over." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had you?' "Precisely so. But how--" results." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Holmes' thin, eager face. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet other lovers by making love himself." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "At what time?" "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Will you bet, then?" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young believe that I should never have any practice at all. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. lumber-room." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out way in." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Why did you beat the pavement?" despair." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to walking." "Who was the criminal, then?" considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at get the tickets." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "And why in hopes?" "'What, the red-headed man?' grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "I think it very unlikely." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would 'I should be able to look after that for you.' people in all walks of life. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Was there a secret marriage?" "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the never will be, entirely cleared up. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread shall not find me ungrateful." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, occurred." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. anything to do with the matter?" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' is so. I know all about McCarthy." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "I have a cab outside." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his have got?" rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a advice." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Who by?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of lips." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen over here." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the