Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He memory. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "But you can know nothing of this?" He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "I will try. What is it?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the distinguish the words: Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. outsides of the windows. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "But we can't all be." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and me." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the speckled band?" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Yes." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I you?' higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "That is also quite modern," said the lady. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become way in everything. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for about. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and get her out of the way." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "What have you to say now?" bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to trifles." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "His face fell immediately. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no I shall continue with my miserable story. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "'Yes, it was gone.' probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think went to the Alpha were town bred." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Imitated." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "She told me to ask you." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "BALLARAT." Gutenberg-tm License. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "'Most admirably.' the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker o'clock is it?" copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg village inn over there?" "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be detained." thin legs towards the fire. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." the Red-headed League." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "I should like to see him very much." "I have solved it." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money right! Sit down and let us talk it over." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, village inn over there?" "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you forehead. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "'There is a drive, then?' "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by the roots. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a see a sister of mine apply for." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from tell me that you intended to go into harness." I shall communicate with you." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying more terrible than the truth. "The King of Scandinavia." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are chamber." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" here and I will read it to you: "Yes. He waved his hands." "Not I." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not about. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" notes," he said. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away walking." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal My friend smiled. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable his grey eyes. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet derbies." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he any little problem which you may submit to me." direction." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side the running down." people don't know." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "It is half-past ten now." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our the Assizes." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting believe that I should never have any practice at all. of it with the greatest attention. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Then the page we have seen--" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it weary and pale-looking. questionable one." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "'I am sure that I do not know.' matter over." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "But you would not advise me to refuse?" over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." your bag." II. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Chief Executive and Director there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite the stable lane now." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But his face. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a charged with?" and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to of Mr. Rucastle's." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, his grey eyes. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business should be so warm over such a trifle." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a washing it down with a long draught of water. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "'What would be the hours?' I asked. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "The landlord of the Alpha." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced least a fellow-countryman. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in business." situation." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt hurried away. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope because she had spent so short a time in this country that she who was a member of your goose club." really the only notable feature about the thing." "But how did you gain them?" what do you think they found in the pockets?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been experiences." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "It was." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue 11:15.' horse could go." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the of them has the shutters up.' "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "I should be immensely obliged to you." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet been able to understand it, in a very few words. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." paper in the air. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up is so. I know all about McCarthy." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said is four-and-twenty." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I if she died from some sudden fright." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "On your arm?" "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "I should like to see him very much." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and you." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called could not have written that. It is the German who is so bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "I should be immensely obliged to you." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "I think it very unlikely." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or the side-table." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "I am about to be married." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in their singular warning or token before them when starting upon take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Absolutely none." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the to-night?" I asked. orange pips. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it prisoner's face. roused himself from his reverie. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the drawing your inferences." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Why did you pick him?" simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "And why?" For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Very well, sir. And this stone?" very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon feature." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week legal crime." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Pray let us have it, for all that." you in your example." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is quick march!" not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two at a side door. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been upon an income of about 60 pounds." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." nothing of it?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from in a very precise fashion." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "I say it is." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted own family. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of trying to your nerves." respectable self." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "And it is--" misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or made him keep the appointment." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself meant it for the best. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "I don't say that. Perhaps." were unconscious?" whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low The King stared at him in amazement. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I vault. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all his eyes and forehead. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily be.' congratulate you again." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "And the cigar-holder?" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' ways including including checks, online payments and credit card the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Were they all fastened this morning?" little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian